Insertable wireless communication device for a power tool

ABSTRACT

A power tool may include a compartment in its housing and a first printed circuit board (PCB) located in the housing and electrically coupled to a first connector. An insertable wireless communication device may include a second electronic processor and an antenna that are each mounted to a second PCB. The insertable wireless communication device may be configured to be received in the compartment and may include a second connector configured to electrically and physically couple to the first connector. The insertable wireless communication device may be configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device. When the insertable wireless communication device is inserted into the compartment, a first conductive layer of the first PCB may be configured to be electrically coupled to the antenna via the first connector and the second connector such that the first conductive layer of the first PCB serves as a ground plane of the antenna.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.17/752,548, filed on May 24, 2022, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 17/291,203, filed on May 4, 2021, now U.S. Pat. No.11,375,610, which is a national stage filing under 35 U.S.C. § 371 ofInternational Application No. PCT/US2020/061544, filed on Nov. 20, 2020,which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/938,516,filed on Nov. 21, 2019; to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/047,447,filed on Jul. 2, 2020; and to U.S. Provisional Application No.63/047,449, filed Jul. 2, 2020, the entire contents of all of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate to host devices (e.g., power tooldevices) with a compartment for receiving another device.

SUMMARY

One embodiment includes a power tool that may include a housing having amotor housing portion, a handle portion, and a battery pack receivingportion. The power tool also may include a motor within the motorhousing portion and having a rotor and a stator. The motor may beconfigured to drive an output drive device. The power tool also mayinclude a first electronic processor within the housing and configuredto control operation of the motor. The power tool also may include acompartment located in the housing, and a first printed circuit board(PCB) located in the housing and electrically coupled to a firstconnector. The power tool also may include an insertable wirelesscommunication device including a second electronic processor and anantenna each of which is mounted to a second PCB. The insertablewireless communication device may be configured to be received in thecompartment and may include a second connector configured toelectrically and physically couple to the first connector. Theinsertable wireless communication device may be configured to wirelesslycommunicate with an external device. When the insertable wirelesscommunication device is inserted into the compartment, a firstconductive layer of the first PCB may be configured to be electricallycoupled to the antenna via the first connector and the second connectorsuch that the first conductive layer of the first PCB serves as a groundplane of the antenna, and the first electronic processor may beconfigured to communicate with the second electronic processor to allowinformation to be transferred between the first electronic processor andthe external device.

Another embodiment includes a power tool that may include a housinghaving a motor housing portion, a handle portion, and a battery packreceiving portion. The power tool also may include a motor within themotor housing portion and having a rotor and a stator. The motor may beconfigured to drive an output drive device. The power tool also mayinclude a first electronic processor within the housing and configuredto control operation of the motor. The power tool also may include acompartment located in the housing, and a first printed circuit board(PCB) located in the housing and electrically coupled to a firstconnector. The compartment may be configured to receive an insertablewireless communication device including a second electronic processor,an antenna mounted to a second PCB, and a second connector configured toelectrically and physically coupled to the first connector. Theinsertable wireless communication device may be configured to wirelesslycommunicate with an external device. When the insertable wirelesscommunication device is inserted into the compartment, a firstconductive layer of the first PCB may be configured to be electricallycoupled to the antenna via the first connector and the second connectorsuch that the first conductive layer of the first PCB serves as a groundplane of the antenna, and the first electronic processor may beconfigured to communicate with the second electronic processor to allowinformation to be transferred between the first electronic processor andthe external device.

Another embodiment includes a power tool device that may include ahousing, and a first electronic processor within the housing. The powertool device may also include a compartment located in the housing, and afirst printed circuit board (PCB) located in the housing. The power tooldevice may also include an insertable wireless communication deviceincluding a second electronic processor and an antenna each of which ismounted to a second PCB, the insertable wireless communication devicemay be configured to be received in the compartment. The insertablewireless communication device may be configured to wirelesslycommunicate with an external device. When the insertable wirelesscommunication device is inserted into the compartment, a firstconductive layer of the first PCB may be configured to be electricallycoupled to the antenna such that the first conductive layer of the firstPCB serves as a ground plane of the antenna.

Another embodiment includes a wireless communication system that mayinclude a transmitting device housing that may include a securingelement configured to secure the transmitting device housing to anobject. The wireless communication system may further include a powersource within the transmitting device housing, and a compartment locatedin the transmitting device housing. The wireless communication systemmay further include a first insertable wireless communication devicethat may include a first electronic processor and a first antenna eachof which is mounted to a first printed circuit board (PCB). The firstinsertable wireless communication device may be configured to bereceived in the compartment. The first insertable wireless communicationdevice may be configured to receive power from the power source when thefirst insertable wireless communication device is inserted into thecompartment. The first insertable wireless communication device may beconfigured to wirelessly communicate with a first external device via afirst communication protocol. The wireless communication system mayfurther include a second insertable wireless communication device thatmay include a second electronic processor and a second antenna each ofwhich is mounted to a second PCB. The second insertable wirelesscommunication device may be configured to be received in thecompartment. The second insertable wireless communication device may beconfigured to receive power from the power source when the secondinsertable wireless communication device is inserted into thecompartment. The second insertable wireless communication device may beconfigured to wirelessly communicate with a second external device via asecond communication protocol that is different from the firstcommunication protocol.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration ofthe detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a communication system according to one exampleembodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an external device of thecommunication system of FIG. 1 according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a host device (e.g., a power tool device) of thecommunication system of FIG. 1 according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a main body of the power tool device ofFIG. 3 that houses a motor according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a portion of an insertable wirelesscommunication device compartment included in the main body of the powertool device of FIG. 3 with one part of a clamshell housing of the powertool device of FIG. 3 removed according to one example embodiment.

FIGS. 5B and 5C are perspective views of a separate assembly compartmentthat may be located in the housing of the power tool device of FIG. 3 inthe same general location as the insertable wireless communicationdevice compartment of FIG. 5A according to example embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view similar to the perspective view of FIG. 5Abut also including a first printed circuit board and an insertablewireless communication device in the compartment of FIG. 5A according toone example embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a side cut-away view of the compartment of FIG. 5A with theinsertable wireless communication device inserted into the compartmentaccording to one example embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the insertable wireless communicationdevice of FIG. 6 electrically and physically coupled to the firstprinted circuit board of FIG. 6 according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the insertable wireless communicationdevice of FIG. 6 decoupled from the first printed circuit board of FIG.6 according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the first printed circuit board of FIG.6 and a first connector according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates a block diagram of the power tool devices of FIGS.3, 17, and 18 according to one example embodiment.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate alternate example embodiments of the firstprinted circuit board (i.e., host-side PCB) of FIGS. 6 and 20A-20B.

FIG. 13 illustrates a block diagram of the insertable wirelesscommunication device of FIGS. 6 and 19 according to one exampleembodiment.

FIGS. 14A-14J illustrate alternate example embodiments of a secondprinted circuit board of the insertable wireless communication device(e.g., insertable device PCB) of FIGS. 6, 13, and 19 .

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a method to allow a power tool device of FIG.3 to communicate with an external device of FIG. 1 via the insertablewireless communication device of FIGS. 6, 13, and 19 according to oneexample embodiment.

FIGS. 16A-16C illustrate three alternative embodiments of a coverconfigured to cover a compartment of the host device of FIG. 19 thatreceives the insertable wireless communication device of FIG. 19according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 17 illustrates another host device (e.g., another power tooldevice) of the communication system of FIG. 1 according to one exampleembodiment.

FIG. 18 illustrates yet another host device (e.g., yet another powertool device) of the communication system of FIG. 1 according to oneexample embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a perspective cut-away view of a portion of a main body ofthe power tool device of FIG. 17 that includes a compartment configuredto receive an insertable wireless communication device according to oneembodiment.

FIGS. 20A through 20D illustrate different views of an enclosure locatedwithin the compartment of FIG. 19 and configured to hold the insertablewireless communication device of FIG. 19 according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 20E and 20F illustrate different bottom perspective views of theenclosure of FIGS. 20A through 20D according to one embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a bottom perspective view of the insertable wirelesscommunication device of FIG. 19 electrically and physically coupled to ahost-side PCB of the power tool device of FIG. 17 according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 22 is a partially exploded bottom perspective view of theinsertable wireless communication device of FIG. 19 according to oneexample embodiment.

FIG. 23 illustrates multiple views of the insertable wirelesscommunication device of FIG. 19 according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 24 illustrates a conceptual diagram of a further extended groundplane of the antenna of the insertable wireless communication device ofFIGS. 6, 13, and 19 using one or more wires connected from the host-sidePCB of FIG. 21 to ground of a power source of the power tool device ofFIG. 3, 17 , or 18 according to one example embodiment.

FIGS. 25A and 25B illustrate another host device (e.g., a transmittingdevice) including one or more securing elements configured to secure thetransmitting device to an object to be tracked according to one exampleembodiment.

FIG. 26 illustrates a block diagram of the transmitting device of FIG.25A according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 27 illustrates a flowchart of a method performed by an unassociatedinsertable wireless communication device of FIG. 6, 13 , or 19 insertedinto the host device of FIG. 3, 17, 18 , or 25A according to one exampleembodiment.

FIG. 28 illustrates a flow diagram that shows communications between anexternal device of the communication system of FIG. 1 , the insertabledevice of FIG. 6, 13 , or 19 and the host device of FIG. 3, 17, 18 , or25A during an association/pairing process according to one exampleembodiment.

FIG. 29 illustrates a flowchart of a method performed by anassociated/paired insertable wireless communication device of FIG. 6, 13, or 19 inserted into the host device of FIG. 3, 17, 18 , or 25Aaccording to one example embodiment.

FIG. 30 illustrates a flow diagram that shows communications between anexternal device of the communication system of FIG. 1 , the insertablewireless communication device of FIG. 6, 13 , or 19 and the host deviceof FIG. 3, 17, 18 , or 25A during a disassociation/de-pairing processaccording to one example embodiment.

FIG. 31 illustrates a flowchart of a method performed by the insertablewireless communication device of FIG. 6, 13 , or 19 inserted into thehost device of FIG. 3, 17, 18 , or 25A in one example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orof being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood thatthe phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limited. The use of“including,” “comprising” or “having” and variations thereof herein ismeant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereofas well as additional items. The terms “mounted,” “connected” and“coupled” are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirectmounting, connecting and coupling. Further, “connected” and “coupled”are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings,and can include electrical connections or couplings, whether direct orindirect.

It should be noted that a plurality of hardware and software baseddevices, as well as a plurality of different structural components maybe utilized to implement the invention. Furthermore, and as described insubsequent paragraphs, the specific configurations illustrated in thedrawings are intended to exemplify embodiments of the invention and thatother alternative configurations are possible. The terms “processor”“central processing unit” and “CPU” are interchangeable unless otherwisestated. Where the terms “processor” or “central processing unit” or“CPU” are used as identifying a unit performing specific functions, itshould be understood that, unless otherwise stated, those functions canbe carried out by a single processor, or multiple processors arranged inany form, including parallel processors, serial processors, tandemprocessors or cloud processing/cloud computing configurations.

Throughout this application, the term “approximately” is used todescribe the dimensions of various components. In some situations, theterm “approximately” means that the described dimension is within 1% ofthe stated value, within 5% of the stated value, within 10% of thestated value, or the like. When the term “and/or” is used in thisapplication, it is intended to include any combination of the listedcomponents. For example, if a component includes A and/or B, thecomponent may include A (without B), B (without A), or both A and B.

FIG. 1 illustrates a communication system 100. The communication system100 includes power tool devices 104 a, 104 b, 104 c, and 104 d, eachgenerically referred to as the power tool or power tool device 104, andan external device 108. The communication system also includes one ormore transmitting devices 106. The power tool devices 104 a, 104 b, 104c, 104 d and the transmitting device 106 each include a wirelesscommunication controller to enable wireless communication between thepower tool 104/transmitting device 106 and the external device 108 whilethey are within a communication range of each other. Some of the powertool devices 104 d/transmitting devices 106 include the wirelesscommunication device integrated into the power tool device 104d/transmitting device 106 such that insertion or removal of the wirelesscommunication device is prevented (i.e., installed within the housing ofthe power tool 104/transmitting device 106 at the time of manufacturingthe power tool 104/transmitting device 106). Other power tool devices104 a, 104 b, 104 c or transmitting devices 106 however, include aninsertable device compartment (e.g., compartment 405 of FIGS. 4-7 ,compartment 1910 of FIG. 19 , or the like) configured to receive thewireless communication device (e.g., an insertable wirelesscommunication device 610, 1905 as explained in greater detail below).The insertable device compartment allows the insertable wirelesscommunication device to be optionally added to the power tool104/transmitting device 106 as an accessory after manufacturing of thepower tool 104/transmitting device 106. Power tool devices104/transmitting devices 106 including the insertable device compartmentmay be referred to herein as host devices 104, 106.

In some embodiments, the wireless communication device that isoptionally added to the power tool device 104 includes an irreversiblelock that, once engaged with the wireless communication device, cannotbe unlocked (except by authorized service personnel) as explained ingreater detail below. In some embodiments, the insertable devicecompartment is configured to receive a placeholder housing (e.g., aplastic housing without internal electronic components or a plastichousing including circuitry configured for wireless communication usinga first protocol) that may be installed at the time of manufacturing thepower tool but may be later removed and replaced with a wirelesscommunication device (or with a housing including circuitry configuredfor wireless communication using a second protocol different from thefirst protocol) by a user if desired. For example, because power tooldevices 104/transmitting devices 106 are purchased by different userswith different budgets and for different projects, some users may preferthat a power tool device 104 includes communication capabilities whilesuch communication capabilities may not be useful to or desired by otherusers. Similarly, different users may desire different wirelesscommunication capabilities for the power tool device 104/transmittingdevice 106 (e.g., short-range radio communication via, for example,Bluetooth® versus long-range radio communication via, for example, acellular network). Accordingly, in some situations, it is desirable forthe power tool 104/transmitting device 106 to be configured to receiveany one of multiple interchangeable insertable wireless communicationdevices to cater to different needs of different users.

Additionally, it is often desirable to design power tool devices104/transmitting devices 106 to be compact such that users are able toeasily use and transport the power tool devices 104/transmitting devices106. Accordingly, there may be limited space within the power tooldevice 104/transmitting device 106 to include communication circuitry(e.g., an antenna) that allows the power tool device 104/transmittingdevice 106 to communicate with other devices (e.g., the external device108 and/or the server 112). Thus, it may be desirable to make theinsertable wireless communication device relatively small so that theinsertable wireless communication device (and the compartment thatreceives the insertable wireless communication device) consumes only asmall amount of space within the housing of the power tool device104/transmitting device 106. However, some communication protocols(e.g., cellular communication over a cellular network) have standardsfor antennas regarding minimal transmit power and minimal receivesensitivity (i.e., minimum antenna efficiency standards set forth bycellular service providers) to ensure proper operation of devicescommunicating using such protocols.

In the use case of a monopole (i.e., ground plane) antenna (e.g.,quarter-wavelength) being used by the power tool device 104/transmittingdevice 106 to communicate with external devices according to someembodiments as explained herein (e.g., antenna 1315 of FIGS. 13 and14A), a length or surface area of the ground plane of the antennadirectly affects the efficiency of the antenna. Accordingly, the lengthor surface area of the ground plane of the antenna may be designed to beat least a predetermined size in order to meet the minimum antennaefficiency standards and function properly. For example, in order tofunction properly and meet the minimum antenna efficiency standards, anantenna with a smaller conductor portion (i.e., a smaller antenna)requires a larger ground plane than an antenna with a larger conductorportion (i.e., a larger antenna). However, a technological problemarises when the desired size of the insertable wireless communicationdevice is smaller than the predetermined size of the ground planenecessary to meet the minimum antenna efficiency standards. Embodimentsof the host device 104, 106 described herein address this technologicalproblem by utilizing a conductive layer of a printed circuit board (PCB)of the host device 104, 106 (e.g., a conductive layer 1005 of the firstPCB 605) to create an extended ground plane for the antenna of theinsertable wireless communication device. In other words, embodiments ofthe host device 104, 106 described herein allow the antenna of aninsertable wireless communication device to meet a minimum antennaefficiency standard while maintaining a small size of the insertablewireless communication device. Some embodiments of the host device 104,106 and an insertable wireless communication device 610 accordinglyallow for improved efficiency and/or radio frequency performance of anantenna and corresponding transceiver circuitry with a compact design.

In some embodiments, when the power tool devices 104 a, 104 b, 104 cinclude the wireless communication device in the insertable devicecompartment, the power tool devices 104 a, 104 b, 104 c can operatesimilar to the power tool device 104 d as if the wireless communicationdevice was integrally formed within the power tool device 104. The powertool device 104 may communicate power tool status, power tool operationstatistics, power tool identification, stored power tool usageinformation, power tool maintenance data, and the like. Therefore, usingthe external device 108, a user can access stored power tool usage orpower tool maintenance data. With this tool data, a user can determinehow the power tool device 104 has been used, whether maintenance isrecommended or has been performed in the past, and identifymalfunctioning components or other reasons for certain performanceissues. The external device 108 can also transmit data to the power tooldevice 104 for power tool configuration, firmware updates, or to sendcommands (e.g., turn on a work light, lock the power tool 104, and thelike). The external device 108 also allows a user to set operationalparameters, safety parameters, select tool modes, and the like for thepower tool device 104 (e.g., adjust operating modes or parameters of thepower tool 104 such as motor speed, motor ramp-up, torque, and thelike). The external device 108 may also communicate with a remote server112 and may receive configuration and/or settings for the power tool104, or may transmit operational data or other power tool statusinformation to the remote server 112.

In some embodiments, some of the power tool devices 104 a, 104 b, 104 cinclude both an integrated wireless communication device and aninsertable device compartment configured to receive an insertablewireless communication device. In some embodiments, these two wirelesscommunication devices of the same power tool 104 a, 104 b, 104 c may usedifferent communication protocols to allow the power tool 104 a, 104 b,104 c to communicate with the external device 108 and/or the server 112.For example, the integrated wireless communication device may allow forshort-range radio communication (e.g., Bluetooth®) with the externaldevice 108 while the insertable wireless communication device may allowfor long-range radio communication (e.g., cellular communication over acellular network with the server 112, communication via aWiFi-transceiver, communication via a GPS transceiver, and/or the like).

In some embodiments, a transmitting device 106 includes the wirelesscommunication device in the insertable device compartment, thetransmitting device 106 can operate similar to transmitting devices 106that include a wireless communication device integrally formed withinthe transmitting devices 106. The transmitting device 106 may beattached to an object (e.g., a ladder, a bucket, a hand tool, a powertool, test and measurement equipment, a battery pack, a vacuum cleaner,a work site radio, outdoor power equipment, a vehicle, another objectlocated at a construction site, etc.) using adhesive, fasteners,mounting holes on the transmitting device 106, or the like (see FIG.25B). The transmitting device 106 may be used to track the location ofthe object to which the transmitting device 106 is attached. Forexample, the transmitting device 106 periodically broadcasts beacon datato be received by the external device 108, the server 112, and/or otherexternal devices. The beacon data may include one or more of atransmitter identifier, a user identifier, user contact information,timestamp, state of charge of an energy storage device of thetransmitting device 106, an object identifier (identifying the object towhich the transmitting device 106 is attached), and other statusinformation. In turn, the external device 108 may log the beacon datalocally on a memory of the external device 108, send tracking data tothe server 112 for logging, or both log the beacon data and send thetracking data to the server 112.

In some embodiments, the integrated wireless communication device of ahost device 104, 106 may be configured to wirelessly communicate with acorresponding wireless communication device (e.g., a Bluetooth®transceiver and antenna, near-field communication transceiver andantenna, or the like) of the insertable wireless communication device.In other words, the insertable wireless communication device may notinclude a connector that physically and electrically couples to the hostdevice 104, 106 in some embodiments. Rather, the insertable wirelesscommunication device may wirelessly communicate with the host device104, 106 when the insertable wireless communication device is locatedwithin the compartment of the host device 104, 106. The insertablewireless communication device may then wirelessly communicate with anexternal device 108 and/or server 112 using a different communicationprotocol and at least some different circuitry (e.g., cellularcommunication over a cellular network, communication via aWiFi-transceiver, communication via a GPS transceiver, and/or the like)and/or using the same communication protocol and the same circuitry thatis used to wirelessly communicate with the host device 104, 106 (e.g.,Bluetooth®, near-field communication, or the like).

The external device 108 may be, for example, a laptop computer, a tabletcomputer, a smartphone, a cellphone, or another electronic devicecapable of communicating wirelessly with the power tool device104/transmitting device 106 and providing a user interface. The externaldevice 108 provides the user interface and allows a user to access andinteract with tool information. The external device 108 can receive userinputs to determine operational parameters of the power tool device104/transmitting device 106, enable or disable features of the powertool device 104/transmitting device 106, and the like. The userinterface of the external device 108 provides an easy-to-use interfacefor the user to control and customize operation of the power tool device104/transmitting device 106.

Although a single transmitting device 106 is illustrated in FIG. 1 , insome embodiments, the system 100 includes a plurality of transmittingdevices 106, each used to track a different object. Similarly, althougha single external device 108 is illustrated in FIG. 1 , in someembodiments, the system 100 includes a plurality of external devices 108that may each receive wireless signals from one or more of the powertool devices 104/transmitting devices 106 and that may each communicatewith the server 112, for example, over a cellular network. Accordingly,the server 112 stores and updates tracking data for each power tooldevice 104/transmitting device 106 in the system 100 based oncommunications from the one or more external devices 108. In someembodiments, at least some power tool devices 104/transmitting devices106 may be configured to communicate directly with the server 112, forexample, over a cellular network (i.e., without using the externaldevice 108 as an intermediary between the power tool device104/transmitting device 106 and the server 112). In other words, somepower tool devices 104/transmitting devices 106 may have cellularcommunication capabilities and global positioning system (GPS)capabilities as explained in greater detail below.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the external device 108 includes an external deviceelectronic processor 114, a short-range transceiver 118 (e.g., aBluetooth® transceiver), a network communication interface 122 (e.g., acellular communication transceiver and antenna), a touch display 126,and a memory 130. The external device electronic processor 114 iscoupled to the short-range transceiver 118, the network communicationinterface 122, the touch display 126, and the memory 130. Theshort-range transceiver 118, which may include or is coupled to anantenna (not shown), is configured to communicate with a compatibletransceiver within the power tool 104 and/or transmitting device 106.The short-range transceiver 118 can also communicate with otherelectronic devices. The network communication interface 122 communicateswith a network to enable communication with the remote server 112. Thenetwork communication interface 122 may include circuitry that enablesthe external device 108 to communicate with the network. In someembodiments, the network may be an Internet network, a cellular network,another network, or a combination thereof.

The memory 130 of the external device 108 stores core applicationsoftware 134. The external device electronic processor 114 accesses andexecutes the core application software 134 in memory 130 to launch acontrol application that receives inputs from the user for theconfiguration and operation of the power tool device 104/transmittingdevice 106. The short-range transceiver 118 of the external device 108is compatible with a transceiver of the power tool 104 (described infurther detail below). The short-range transceiver 118 allows theexternal device 108 to communicate with the power tool device 104 and/orthe transmitting device 106.

The remote server 112 may store data received from the power tool 104and transmitting device 106 and/or data obtained by the external device108 from, for example, the power tool 104 and the transmitting device106. The remote server 112 may also provide additional functionality andservices to the user. In one embodiment, storing the information on theremote server 112 allows a user to access the information from aplurality of different devices and locations (e.g., a remotely locateddesktop computer or mobile phone). In another embodiment, the remoteserver 112 may collect information from various users regarding theirpower tool devices 104/transmitting devices 106 and provide statisticsor statistical measures to the user based on information obtained fromthe different power tools. For example, the remote server 112 mayprovide statistics regarding the experienced efficiency of the powertool 104, typical usage of the power tool 104, and other relevantcharacteristics and/or measures of the power tool 104. In someembodiments, the power tool device 104/transmitting device 106 isconfigured to communicate directly with the server 112 through anadditional wireless interface or with the same wireless interface thatthe power tool device 104/transmitting device 106 uses to communicatewith the external device 108.

Although the server 112 is illustrated as a singular unit, the server112 may be made up of various servers located together or remotely andcoupled via one or more networks. In some embodiments, the server 112includes a tracking database that may be made up of various databases incommunication with one another. An electronic processor of the server112 may execute a tracking application to receive tracking data fromexternal devices 108, power tool devices 104, and/or transmittingdevices 106. Through execution of the tracking application, the server112 may update the tracking database, and receive and respond todatabase queries for the tracking database. The tracking database storestracking data for the power tool devices 104 and the transmittingdevices 106 including one or more of a unique identifier the power tooldevice 104, the transmitting device 106, or an insertable wirelesscommunication device; a user identifier (e.g., an owner of the powertool device 104, the transmitting device 106, or the insertable wirelesscommunication device); user contact information; timestamp; last knownlocation; state of charge of the battery of the tracked device (e.g., ofa backup battery of the power tool device 104 such as a coin cellbattery); other status information; external device identifier (e.g.,identifying the most recent external device 108 that receivedcommunications from the tracked device and communicated the trackeddevice unique identifier and the location of the external device 108 tothe server 112); and location history (e.g., including previous knownlocations, timestamps, and external device identifiers). The trackingdatabase also stores a lost/not-lost indication (e.g., a flag) thatindicates, based on a value of the indicator, whether each power tooldevice 104, transmitting device 106, and insertable wirelesscommunication device is considered “lost” or “not lost.”

The power tool device 104 is configured to perform one or more specifictasks (e.g., drilling, cutting, fastening, pressing, lubricantapplication, sanding, heating, grinding, bending, forming, impacting,polishing, lighting, etc.). For example, an impact wrench is associatedwith the task of generating a rotational output (e.g., to drive a bit),while a reciprocating saw is associated with the task of generating areciprocating output motion (e.g., for pushing and pulling a saw blade).The task(s) associated with a particular tool may also be referred to asthe primary function(s) of the tool.

Although the power tool device 104 illustrated in FIG. 3 is an impactwrench and may be referred to herein as power tool 104, embodimentsexplained herein similarly apply to and can be used in conjunction witha variety of power tool devices 104 and transmitting devices 106 (i.e.,host devices 104, 106) including power tools and/or accessories. Forinstance, the power tool device 104 may be another power tool, test andmeasurement equipment, a vacuum cleaner, a worksite radio, outdoor powerequipment, a vehicle, a power tool battery pack, a charger configured tocharge a power tool battery pack, or another device. Power tools caninclude drills, circular saws, jig saws, band saws, reciprocating saws,screw drivers, angle grinders, straight grinders, hammers, multi-tools,impact wrenches, rotary hammers, impact drivers, angle drills, pipecutters, grease guns, hydraulic cutters, hydraulic crimpers, magneticdrills. and the like. Test and measurement equipment can include digitalmultimeters, clamp meters, fork meters, wall scanners, infrared (IR)thermometers, laser distance meters, laser levels, remote displays,insulation testers, moisture meters, thermal imagers, inspectioncameras, and the like. Vacuum cleaners can include stick vacuums, handvacuums, upright vacuums, carpet cleaners, hard surface cleaners,canister vacuums, broom vacuums, and the like. Outdoor power equipmentcan include blowers, chain saws, edgers, hedge trimmers, lawn mowers,trimmers, and the like. Other devices can include electronic key boxes,calculators, cellular phones, head phones, cameras, motion sensingalarms, flashlights, work lights (e.g., free-standing work lights),weather information display devices, a portable power source, a digitalcamera, a digital music player, a radio, and multi-purpose cutters. Insome embodiments, the power tool device 104 may be non-motorized asindicated by a number of the above examples.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the power tool 104 includes a main body 202 (i.e.,a motor housing portion), a handle portion 204, a battery pack receivingportion 206, selection switch 208, an output drive device or mechanism210, and a trigger 212 (or other actuator). The power tool 104 furtherincludes a motor 214 (see FIG. 11 ) within the main body 202 of thehousing and having a rotor 280 and a stator 285 (see FIG. 11 ). Therotor 280 is coupled to a motor shaft arranged to produce an outputoutside of the housing via the output drive device or mechanism 210. Thehousing of the power tool 104 (e.g., the main body 202, the handle 204,and the battery pack receiving portion 206) are composed of a durableand light-weight plastic material. The drive device 210 is composed of ametal (e.g., steel). The drive device 210 on the power tool 104 of FIG.3 is a socket. However, each power tool 104 may have a different drivedevice 210 specifically designed for the task associated with the powertool 104. For example, the drive device 210 for a power drill mayinclude a bit driver or chuck, while the drive device 210 for a pipecutter may include a blade or blade holder. The selection switch 208 isconfigured to select an operation mode for the power tool 104. Differentoperation modes may have different speed or torque levels, or maycontrol the power tool 104 based on different sets of parameters. Insome embodiments, the selection switch 208 is a mode pad 208. The modepad 208 allows a user to select a mode of the power tool 104 andindicates to the user the currently selected mode of the power tool 104.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the main body 202 that houses a motor214. In FIG. 4 , the main body 202 is shown with the motor 214 removedfrom the power tool 104. As shown in FIG. 4 , the main body 202 includesa compartment 405 located underneath the location for the motor 214 inthe main body 202 and above the handle 204. The compartment 405 may becovered and sealed by a cover 410. In some embodiments, the compartment405 has a length that runs approximately parallel with the shaft of themotor 214. In some embodiments, the compartment 405 is a separateassembly component that is isolated from the handle 204. In someembodiments, the compartment 405 may include damping features (e.g., seeFIGS. 5B and 5C) to reduce vibration experienced by one or morecomponents located within the compartment 405 (e.g., the printed circuitboard 605 and/or the insertable wireless communication device 610described below).

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a portion the compartment 405 with onepart of a clamshell housing of the power tool 104 removed. As shown inFIG. 5A, in some embodiments, the compartment 405 includes an innerportion 505 that includes a mounting portion 510 configured to hold afirst printed circuit board (PCB) 605 (see FIG. 6 ). For example, asillustrated, the mounting portion 510 includes a channel to receive andsecure the PCB 605. In some embodiments, the first PCB 605 (i.e., ahost-side PCB) is configured to be installed in the compartment 405 atthe time of manufacturing of the power tool 104 and is not configured tobe removed from the power tool 104 without disassembling and/or damagingthe power tool 104. In other words, in some embodiments, the first PCB605 is configured to be a non-removable/permanent PCB. The compartment405 may also include an outer portion 515 configured to receive aninsertable wireless communication device 610 (see FIG. 6 ) that may beoptionally added to the power tool 104 as an accessory aftermanufacturing of the power tool 104 (e.g., to provide or enhancecommunication capabilities of the power tool 104). The outer portion 515may include an indent 520 on each side wall of the compartment 405. Theindent 520 on each side wall of the outer portion 515 of the compartment405 may be configured to receive alignment rails 620 of the insertablewireless communication device 610 (see FIG. 6 ) as the insertablewireless communication device 610 is inserted into the compartment 405.FIG. 5A also illustrates a fastener receiving hole 525 configured toreceive a fastener 705 (see FIG. 7 ) to secure the cover 410 to a rearside of the main body 202 to seal the compartment 405 from debris.

While FIG. 5A shows the compartment 405 being formed by parts of thehousing of the power tool 104 (e.g., two clamshell housing portions ofthe power tool 104), in some embodiments, the compartment 405 is aseparate assembly component that is located within the housing of thepower tool 104 (e.g., a separate enclosure 1920 as shown in FIGS.19-20D). For example, FIGS. 5B and 5C are perspective views of aseparate assembly enclosure 550 that may be located in the housing ofthe power tool 104 in the same general location(s) as shown anddescribed above with respect to the compartment 405.

In FIG. 5B, the separate assembly enclosure 550 is shown as beingtransparent to allow the first PCB 605 and the insertable wirelesscommunication device 610 to be visible. As shown in FIG. 5B, an outersurface of the separate assembly enclosure 550 may include dampingmembers 555 (e.g., rubber bumpers, springs, etc.) to absorb vibrationsbetween the separate assembly enclosure 550 and the housing of the powertool 104 during operation of the power tool 104. The damping members 555may limit the amount of vibration experienced by the first PCB 605 andthe insertable wireless communication device 610 during operation of thepower tool 104. While two damping members 555 are shown on each side ofthe separate assembly enclosure 550 in FIG. 5B, in other embodiments,the separate assembly enclosure 550 may include more or fewer dampingmembers 555 and/or may include damping members 555 in differentlocations on the surface of the separate assembly enclosure 550 besidesthe locations shown in FIG. 5B.

In FIG. 5C, the separate assembly enclosure 550 is shown with a dampingencasement 560 (e.g., of rubber) covering a surface of the separateassembly enclosure 550. Although not shown in FIG. 5C, the separateassembly enclosure 550 may also still include one or more dampingmembers 555. The damping encasement 560 may serve to further limitvibration experienced by the first PCB 605 and the insertable wirelesscommunication device 610.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view similar to the perspective view of FIG. 5Abut also including the first PCB 605 (i.e., a host-side PCB) and theinsertable wireless communication device 610 (i.e., an insertabledevice). As shown in FIG. 6 , the first PCB 605 is coupled (physically,electrically, or both) to a first connector 615 (i.e., a host-sideconnector). For example, the first connector 615 may include contactselectrically coupled to conductive traces of the first PCB 605, andphysically secured to an end of the PCB 605 facing the outer portion 515of the compartment 405. The first connector 615 may receive a secondconnector 905 (i.e., an insertable device connector) of the insertablewireless communication device 610 (see FIG. 9 ) when the insertablewireless communication device 610 is inserted into the compartment 405.The insertable wireless communication device 610 includes an externalhousing 910 with an exterior wall 625 (i.e., an outermost wall when theinsertable wireless communication device 610 is inserted into thecompartment 405).

FIG. 7 is a side cut-away view of the compartment 405 with theinsertable wireless communication device 610 inserted into thecompartment 405. FIG. 7 also shows the compartment 405 covered by thecover 410. As shown in FIG. 7 , the cover 410 may be secured with one ormore fasteners 705 to the rear side of the main body 202 to seal thecompartment 405 from debris from outside of the compartment 405. Also asshown in FIG. 7 , the first PCB 605 and the insertable wirelesscommunication device 610 extend in approximately the same plane. Thus,the first PCB 605 and the second PCB 805 (which is included in a housing910 of the insertable wireless communication device as shown in FIGS. 8and 9 ) extend in approximately the same plane and top and bottomsurfaces of the PCBs 605 and 805 extend parallel to each other. In sucha configuration, a conductive layer 1005 of the first PCB 605 (see FIG.10 ) extend in approximately the same plane as and extend parallel to aconductive layer of the second PCB 805. As explained in greater detailbelow, such a configuration allows one or both of the PCBs 605 and 805to serve individually or in combination as a ground plane of an antenna(e.g., antenna 1315 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14A) included on theinsertable wireless communication device 610.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the insertable wireless communicationdevice 610 electrically and physically coupled to the first PCB 605. Asshown in FIG. 8 , the insertable wireless communication device 610includes a second PCB 805 (i.e., an insertable device PCB) within thehousing 910 of the insertable wireless communication device 610. In someembodiments, an antenna area 810 of the second PCB 805 is reserved foran antenna (e.g., antenna 1315 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14A such as a chipantenna).

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the insertable wireless communicationdevice 610 decoupled from the first PCB 605. As shown in FIG. 9 , thesecond PCB 805 of the insertable wireless communication device 610includes a second connector 905 (i.e., an insertable device connector)configured to electrically and physically couple to the first connector615 of the first PCB 605.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the first PCB 605 and the firstconnector 615. As shown in FIG. 10 , the first PCB 605 may include aconductive layer 1005 (e.g., a layer of copper) that extends throughouta surface area of the first PCB 605. In some embodiments, the first PCB605 may have multiple such conductive layers sandwiched between the topand bottom surfaces of the first PCB 605. Additionally, in someembodiments, the second PCB 805 of the insertable wireless communicationdevice 610 may include one or more conductive layers similar to theconductive layer 1005 of the first PCB 605. Although the first connector615 and the second connector 905 are illustrated as female and maleconnectors, respectively, in some embodiments, the first connector 615is a male connector and the second connector 905 is a female connector,or other types of connectors are used. In some embodiments, theconnectors 615 and 905 may not be included. In such embodiments, acomponent of the first PCB 605 may be configured to wirelesslycommunicate with a component of the second PCB 805 when the insertablewireless communication device 610 is inserted into the compartment 405.For example, such wireless communication may occur viatransceivers/antennas configured to communicate via Bluetooth®,near-filed communication, and/or the like.

As mentioned previously herein, the compartment 405 allows theinsertable wireless communication device 610 to be optionally added tothe power tool device 104 as an accessory after manufacturing of thepower tool device 104. When the insertable wireless communication device610 is inserted into the compartment 405, the power tool device 104 maywirelessly communicate with other devices such as the external device108 and/or the server 112. In some embodiments, the power tool device104 may not be able to communicate (e.g., wirelessly) with other devicesunless the insertable wireless communication device 610 is inserted intothe compartment 405. In other embodiments, the power tool device 104 maybe configured to wirelessly communicate with other devices using a firstcommunication protocol (e.g., a short-range radio communication such asBluetooth®) when the insertable wireless communication device 610 is notinserted into the compartment 405. In such embodiments, when insertedinto the compartment 405, the insertable wireless communication device610 may additionally or alternatively allow the power tool device 104 tocommunicate wirelessly with other devices using a second communicationprotocol different than the first communication protocol (e.g.,long-range radio communication such as cellular communication over acellular network). Accordingly, the insertable wireless communicationdevice 610 is configured to expand the communication capabilities of thepower tool device 104.

FIGS. 17-23 illustrate another embodiment of an insertable wirelesscommunication device and a compartment of a host device configured toreceive the insertable wireless communication device. As shown in FIG.17 , a power tool 1705 (i.e., a host device) includes many of the samecomponents as the power tool 104 of FIG. 3 . The explanation herein ofthe components of the power tool 104 of FIG. 3 applies to thesimilarly-named components of the power tool 1705 except for thedifferences explained below. An insertable wireless communication device1905 includes many of the same components as the insertable wirelesscommunication device 610. The explanation herein of the components ofthe insertable wireless communication device 610 also applies to thesimilarly-named components of the insertable wireless communicationdevice 1905 except for the differences explained below. Although thepower tool 1705 illustrated in FIG. 17 is crimper, embodiments explainedherein similarly apply to and can be used in conjunction with a varietyof power tool devices 104 and transmitting devices 106 (i.e., hostdevices) including power tools and/or accessories in a similar manner asexplained above with respect to the power tool 104 of FIG. 3 .

As shown in FIG. 17 , the crimper 1705 includes a main body 1710 (i.e.,a motor housing portion), a handle portion 1715, a battery packreceiving portion 1720, an output drive device or mechanism 1725, andone or more triggers 1730 (or other actuator). Although not shown inFIG. 17 , the crimper 1705 may include a selection switch similar to theselection switch 208 of the power tool 104 as explained above. Thecrimper 1705 further includes a motor 214 (see FIG. 11 ) within the mainbody 1710 of the housing and having a rotor 280 and a stator 285 (seeFIG. 11 ). The housing of the crimper 1705 (e.g., the main body 1710,the handle 1715, and the battery pack receiving portion 1720) arecomposed of a durable and light-weight plastic material. The drivedevice 1725 on the crimper 1705 is a set of crimping jaws. However,different power tool devices may have different drive devicesspecifically designed for the task associated with the power tool deviceas explained previously herein. As shown in FIG. 17 , the crimper 1705includes a cover 1735 configured to cover a compartment 1910 configuredto receive the insertable wireless communication device 1905 asexplained in greater detail below (see FIG. 19 ).

FIG. 18 illustrates another host device 1805 (e.g., a power tool)including a cover 1810 configured to cover a compartment 1910 configuredto receive the insertable wireless communication device 1905. As shownin FIG. 18 , the power tool 1805 is a different type of power tool thanthe power tool 104 of FIG. 3 and the power tool 1705 of FIG. 17 andincludes the compartment 1910 and cover 1810 in a different locationthan the power tools 104 and 1705 (e.g., on a side of a base portion ofthe power tool 1805 that is connected to a handle portion 1815 and amain body portion (not shown) of the power tool 1805.

FIG. 19 is a perspective cut-away view of a portion of the main body1710 of the crimper 1705 that includes a compartment 1910 configured toreceive an insertable wireless communication device 1905 (i.e., aninsertable device). As shown in FIG. 19 , a housing of the main body1710 includes various mounting portions 1915 configured to hold anenclosure 1920 within the compartment 1910. While the compartment 1910is located at a lower portion of the main body 1710 in the crimper 1705(e.g., on a plane above the handle 1715 and underneath a motor orunderneath a power/FET PCB that is located in a potting boat 1925 in themain body 1710), in other embodiments or in other host devices, thecompartment 1910 may be located in other locations as explainedpreviously herein (e.g., see FIG. 18 ).

FIGS. 20A through 20D illustrate different views of the enclosure 1920.FIG. 20A is a bottom perspective view of the enclosure 1920 with thewalls of the enclosure 1920 shown as being transparent to allow thecomponents housed inside the enclosure 1920 to be visible. FIG. 20B is abottom perspective exploded view of the enclosure 1920 and thecomponents housed inside the enclosure 1920. FIG. 20C is a topperspective view of the enclosure 1920 in which the enclosure includes awire opening 2003. FIG. 20D is a side profile view of the enclosure 1920with the walls of the enclosure 1920 shown as being transparent to allowthe components housed inside the enclosure 1920 to be visible. As shownin FIGS. 20A, 20C, and 20D, the insertable wireless communication device1905 is inserted into the enclosure 1920.

An external end 2005 of the enclosure 1920 is configured to receive theinsertable wireless communication device 1905 when the enclosure 1920 isinstalled in the crimper 1705. An internal end 2010 of the enclosure1920 that is opposite to the external end 2005 is configured to receivea host-side PCB 2015 during manufacturing of the crimper 1705. Thehost-side PCB 2015 is similar to the first PCB 605 of the power tool 104described previously herein. The details described previously hereinwith respect to the first PCB 605 also apply to the host-side PCB 2015.For example, the host-side PCB 2015 includes a host-side connector 2020(similar to the first connector 615 of the first PCB 605) configured tocouple (physically, electrically, or both) to an insertable deviceconnector 2025 of the insertable wireless communication device 1905(similar to the second connector 905 of the insertable wirelesscommunication device 610). In some embodiments, the connectors 2020 and2025 may not be included and a component of the host-side PCB 2015 maybe configured to wirelessly communicate with the insertable wirelesscommunication device 1905 when the insertable wireless communicationdevice 1905 is inserted in the enclosure 1920. After the host-side PCB2015 is installed in the enclosure 1920, the internal end 2010 of theenclosure 1920 is sealed by a wire cap 2030. The wire cap 2030 mayprevent debris from inside the housing of the crimper 1705 from enteringthe enclosure 1920. In some embodiments, the enclosure 1920 includesmounting portions similar to the mounting portions 510 of FIG. 5A. Theenclosure 1920 may include mounting portions that include channels thatare configured to hold the host-side PCB 2015 and/or an insertabledevice PCB 2035 of the insertable wireless communication device 1905.

The wire opening 2003 shown in FIG. 20C allows wires to exit theenclosure 1920 and be connected to other electrical components insidethe housing of the crimper 1705 (e.g., an electronic processor 226configured to control the motor 214 of the crimper 1705, a power sourcesuch as a power tool battery pack or an energy storage device includinga coin cell, and the like). In some embodiments, the wire opening 2003is smaller than an opening in the internal end 2010 of the enclosure1920. Accordingly, wires connected to the host-side PCB 2015 may berouted through the wire opening 2003 rather than being routed out of theopening in the internal end 2010. The opening in the internal end 2010may instead be sealed with the wire cap 2030 to increase ingress fluidprevention compared to having the wires extend through the opening inthe internal end 2010 of the enclosure. In some embodiments, having thewires routed out of the wire opening 2003 saves space within the crimper1705 because the enclosure assembly is shorter in length than when thewires are routed out of the opening in the internal end 2010 of theenclosure 1920. Nevertheless, in some embodiments, one or more wires maybe routed out of the opening in the internal end 2010 of the enclosure1920.

As shown in FIG. 20D, the host-side PCB 2015 and the insertable devicePCB 2035 extend in approximately the same plane similar to the first PCB605 and the second PCB 805 of the power tool 104 as explained previouslyherein (see FIG. 7 ). In such a configuration, a conductive layer 2040of the host-side PCB 2015 may extend in approximately the same plane asand extend parallel to a conductive layer 2045 of the insertable devicePCB 2035. As explained in greater detail below, such a configurationallows one or both of the PCBs 2015 and 2035 to serve individually or incombination as a ground plane of an antenna (e.g., antenna 1315 thatincludes chip antenna/conductor 2105 shown in FIGS. 20D, 21, and 23 )included on the insertable wireless communication device 1905.

FIGS. 20E and 20F illustrate different bottom perspective views of theenclosure 1920 according to one embodiment. In FIGS. 20E and 20F, thewalls of the enclosure 1920 are shown as being transparent to allow theinternal features of the enclosure 1920 explained below to be visible.As shown in FIGS. 20E and 20F, the enclosure 1920 may include one ormore channels 2050 located on side walls of the enclosure 1920 andconfigured to receive and guide edges of the PCBs 2015 and 2035. Thechannels 2050 may include end walls 2055 that prevent the host-side PCB2015 from being over-inserted into the enclosure 1920 duringmanufacturing and/or to prevent the insertable wireless communicationdevice 1905 from being over-inserted into the enclosure 1920 by a user.

FIG. 21 is a bottom perspective view of the insertable wirelesscommunication device 1905 electrically and physically coupled to thehost-side PCB 2015. FIG. 22 is a partially exploded bottom perspectiveview of the insertable wireless communication device 1905 according toone example embodiment. In some embodiments, the insertable device PCB2035 includes a chip antenna 2105 (i.e., a conductor portion of anantenna 1315) located near the external end 2005 of the enclosure 1920when the insertable wireless communication device 1905 is inserted intothe enclosure 1920. As shown in FIG. 21 , the insertable device PCB 2035includes other electronic components as well. For example, theinsertable device PCB 2035 may include a Bluetooth®transceiver/controller, other electronic processors/integrated circuitsconfigured to allow for wireless communication via the antenna 1315 oranother antenna, and the like as shown in FIGS. 14A-14J. Although FIG.21 illustrates components mounted on bottom surfaces of the PCBs 2015and 2035, in some embodiments, components may be additionally oralternatively mounted on top surfaces of the PCBs 2015 and 2035.

FIG. 21 includes labels for example dimensions of a ground plane 2107 ofthe antenna 1315. For example, the host-side PCB 2015 may beapproximately thirty-four millimeters long and a conductive layer 2040of the host-side PCB 2015 may form a portion of the ground plane 2107for the antenna 1315. Similarly, approximately forty-one millimeters ofa conductive layer 2045 of the insertable device PCB 2035 may be used toform the remainder of the ground plane 2107 for the antenna 1315. Insome embodiments, the insertable device PCB 2035 is longer thanapproximately forty-one millimeters and a portion of the insertabledevice PCB 2035 (e.g., a portion proximate the external end 2005 of theenclosure 1920) is not used as a portion of the ground plane 2107 forthe antenna 1315.

In some embodiments, the insertable wireless communication device 1905includes an end cap 2110 located near the external end 2005 of theenclosure 1920 when the insertable wireless communication device 1905 isinserted into the enclosure 1920. In some embodiments, when theinsertable wireless communication device 1905 has been inserted into theenclosure 1920, an outer surface of the end cap 2110 is locatedapproximately flush to an opening in the enclosure 1920 where theinsertable wireless communication device 1905 is received (see FIG.20D). In some embodiments, the end cap 2110 is located proximate to thechip antenna 2105 to protect the chip antenna 2105 in situations wherethe insertable wireless communication device 1905 is dropped, forexample, by a user. As shown in FIGS. 20D and 21 , a height of the endcap 2110 in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the insertabledevice PCB 2035 is taller than a height of the chip antenna 2105 in thedirection perpendicular to the surface of the insertable device PCB2035. Similarly, a height of the connector 2025 in the directionperpendicular to the surface of the insertable device PCB 2035 is tallerthan a height of the chip antenna 2105 in the direction perpendicular tothe surface of the insertable device PCB 2035. Accordingly, if theinsertable wireless communication device 1905 is dropped by a user, thechip antenna 2105 should not directly impact an approximately flatsurface (e.g., a floor) on which the insertable device 1905 landsregardless of the orientation of the insertable device 1905 upon impactwith the flat surface. Rather, one of the top side of the insertabledevice PCB 2035, the sides/edges of the insertable device PCB 2035, theconnector 2025, or the end cap 2110 will impact the flat surface if theinsertable wireless communication device 1905 is dropped.

As shown in FIG. 22 , the end cap 2110 may include an upper portion 2115a and a lower portion 2115 b that are configured to couple to each otherthrough holes in the insertable device PCB 2035 to form the end cap2110. In some embodiments, the height of the end cap 2110 is designed toprovide an amount of spacing between the insertable device PCB 2035 andother components of the crimper 1705. In other words, the end cap 2110may be sized such that the height of the end cap 2110 provides a minimumrequired amount of space (e.g., five millimeters) between the insertabledevice PCB 2035 and poles of a power tool battery pack connected to thecrimper 1705, for example. The end cap 2110 may also allow a user tograb the insertable wireless communication device 1905 more easily (forexample, when inserting or removing the insertable device 1905) than ifthe end cap 2110 were not present. The end cap 2110 may also prevent auser from pinching or inserting, for example, a finger or other objectin the compartment 1910 when inserting or removing the insertable device1905.

In some embodiments, the insertable device PCB 2035 includes aprotruding tab 2120 configured to extend through the end cap 2110. Insome embodiments, the protruding tab 2120 is configured to extend out ofthe enclosure 1920 (see FIGS. 20A, 20C, and 20D). The protruding tab2120 may be configured to be used to remove the insertable wirelesscommunication device 1905 from the enclosure 1920. While the protrudingtab 2120 has a generally rectangular shape in FIG. 22 , in someembodiments, the protruding tab 2120 has rounded corners or is roundedto be in the shape of a partial-circle or partial-oval. In someembodiments, the edges of the protruding tab 2120 are chamfered. In someembodiments, ribbon, tape, or rope (e.g., a nylon rope) is connected tothe protruding tab 2120 to be grasped and pulled by a user to remove theinsertable wireless communication device 1905 from the enclosure 1920.

As shown in FIGS. 19, 20B, and 22 , some portions of the insertabledevice PCB 2035 may include low pressure molding 2205 (e.g., a plasticmolding) over at least some components mounted on the insertable devicePCB 2035. For example, the low pressure molding 2205 may be located overall components on the bottom surface of the insertable device PCB 2035.The low pressure molding may wrap around to a top surface of theinsertable device PCB 2035 and cover less area or less components of thetop surface of the insertable device PCB 2035 than on the bottom surfaceof the insertable device PCB 2035 (see FIG. 19 ). As shown in FIGS. 19,20B, and 22 , the low pressure molding 2205 may not fully enclose theinsertable device PCB 2035. For example, side edges of the insertabledevice PCB 2035 may remain exposed and may protrude from the lowpressure molding 2205. In some embodiments, these side edges of theinsertable device PCB 2035 engage with mounting portions (e.g.,channels) of the enclosure 1920 when the insertable wirelesscommunication device 1905 is inserted into the enclosure 1920. In someembodiments, the insertable wireless communication device 1905 may bereferred to as a housingless insertable device 1905 because theinsertable wireless communication device 1905 does not include anexternal housing configured to fully enclose the insertable device PCB2035 when the insertable wireless communication device 1905 is notinserted into the enclosure 1920 (e.g., the side edges of the insertabledevice PCB 2035 are exposed). A housingless insertable device 1905allows the insertable wireless communication device 1905 to be morecompact than other insertable devices that include an external housing(e.g., insertable device 610 with external housing 910 as shown in FIGS.6-9 ). Accordingly, the housingless insertable wireless communicationdevice 1905 may take up less space in the host device 1705 into which itis configured to be inserted. In some embodiments, the low pressuremolding 2205 may cover more or less components of the insertable devicePCB 2035. In some embodiments, the low pressure molding 2205 may not bepresent.

FIG. 23 illustrates multiple views of the insertable wirelesscommunication device 1905 according to one example embodiment. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 23 , the low pressure molding 2205 is notshown. FIG. 23 includes a top view 2305, a bottom view 2310, a frontview 2315 (i.e., from the front of the crimper 1705 when the insertablewireless communication device 1905 is inserted into the compartment1910), a rear view 2320 (i.e., from the rear of the crimper 1705 whenthe insertable wireless communication device 1905 is inserted into thecompartment 1910), a right side view 2325 (i.e., the right side of thecrimper 1705 when looking at the front of the crimper 1705 along a motorshaft), and a left side view 2330 (i.e., the left side of the crimper1705 when looking at the front of the crimper 1705 along the motorshaft). As indicated by the dimensions in FIG. 23 , in some embodiments,the insertable device PCB 2035 is approximately fifty two millimeterslong including the protruding tab 2120 and an area where the connector2025 is mounted. In some embodiments, the insertable device PCB 2035 isapproximately 35.2 millimeters wide. In other embodiments, theinsertable device PCB 2035 is approximately 49.4 millimeters long and37.4 millimeters wide. As indicated in FIG. 23 , in some embodiments, aheight of the insertable wireless communication device 1905 isapproximately 7.5 millimeters. In some embodiments, an area of a surfaceof the insertable device PCB 2035 opposite to the area where the chipantenna 2105 is mounted is a keep-out area 2335 where no electricalcomponents are mounted to ensure proper functioning of the chip antenna2105.

The locations and physical designs of the compartment 405, 1910 and thephysical design of the insertable wireless communication device 610,1905 as shown in FIGS. 4-7 and FIGS. 17-23 and as explained above areexamples and may be different in other embodiments or on different hostdevices. For example, while the compartment 405, 1910 is shown locatedin the main body 202, 1710 underneath the motor 214 and above the handle204, 1715, the compartment 405, 1910 may be located in other parts ofthe housing of the power tool 104, 1705. For example, the compartment405, 1910 may be located in the handle 204, 1715, in or immediatelyabove the battery pack receiving portion 206, 1720 (i.e., in the foot ofthe power tool 104, 1705), or in another part of the housing of thepower tool 104, 1705. Additionally, the compartment 405, 1910 may beoriented in different manners than the orientation shown in FIGS. 4-7and FIGS. 17 and 19 (e.g., see FIG. 18 ). For example, an opening of thecompartment 405, 1910 may be located on a side wall of the main body202, 1710 instead of on the rear wall of the main body 202, 1710. Asindicated by the list of example power tool devices 104 providedpreviously herein, depending on the type of power tool device 104, thehousing of the power tool device 104 may not include one or more of themain body 202, 1710, the handle 204, 1715, and the battery packreceiving portion 206, 1720. The compartment 405, 1910 may be located inany portion of the housing of the power tool device 104 and in anyorientation such that the insertable wireless communication device 610,1905 is able to properly function (e.g., communicate with the externaldevice 108 and/or the server 112 via an antenna that meets a minimumantenna efficiency standard for the communication protocol being used tocommunicate) as explained in greater detail below.

In some embodiments, the insertable wireless communication device 610,1905 is configured to be insertable into any one of a plurality of hostdevices (e.g., power tool devices 104 and transmitting devices 106) thateach include the same compartment 405, 1910 and that may have thecompartment 405, 1910 located in different portions of the housing andoriented differently in each host device. In other words, the physicaldesigns of the insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 andthe compartment 405, 1910 may be universal across many different hostdevices while the location and orientation of the compartments 405, 1910for at least some host devices may be different.

Although FIGS. 4-7 and FIGS. 17-19 show the cover 410, 1735, 1810secured by the fasteners 705 to cover and seal the compartment 405,1910, in some embodiments, the compartment 405, 1910 may not include thecover 410, 1735, 1810 and/or the fasteners 705. For example, the cover410, 1735, 1810 may be fastened to the power tool 104, 1705, 1805 inother manners that do not include using the fasteners 705. For example,the cover 410, 1735, 1810 may be merely pressed into the compartment405, 1910 and secured by friction between the cover 410, 1735, 1810 andthe compartment 405, 1910. FIGS. 16A through 16C illustrate threealternative embodiments of the cover 410, 1735, 1810. FIG. 16Aillustrates a squeeze, snap-fit cover 1605 including a securing tab1610. FIG. 16B illustrates a slide, snap-fit cover 1615 including asecuring tab 1620. FIG. 16C illustrates a hinged rubber press-fit cover1625. As another example alternative embodiment, the power tool 104,1705, 1805 may not include a cover for the compartment 405, 1910.Instead, the insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 may beconfigured to be inserted into the compartment 405, 1910 so as to sealthe compartment 405, 1910 and prevent debris from entering thecompartment 405, 1910. In such embodiments, a rear side (i.e., an outerside) of the insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 (i.e.,the exterior wall 625 of the insertable device 610 or the end cap 2110of the insertable device 1905) may be flush with the housing of thepower tool 104, 1705. In some embodiments, the power tool 104, 1705,1805 may be sold with a placeholder insertable device (that does nothave any communication functionality) inserted in the compartment 405,1910 to seal the compartment 405, 1910 from debris. At a later time, ifthe user desires to enhance the communication capabilities of the powertool 104, 1705, 1805, the user may remove the placeholder insertabledevice and insert the insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905into the compartment 405, 1910.

Although FIGS. 4-7 show the first PCB 605 of the power tool 104 locatedinside the compartment 405 and FIGS. 20A-20D show the host-side PCB 2015located inside the enclosure 1920, in some embodiments, the host-sidePCBs 605, 2015 are located outside of the compartment 405 or theenclosure 1920 and adjacent to the compartment 405 or the enclosure 1920and/or the insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905. Forexample, the compartment 405 or enclosure 1920 may be smaller than shownin FIGS. 4-7 and FIGS. 20A-20D such that the compartment 405 orenclosure 1920 is configured to include just the insertable wirelesscommunication device 610, 1905 or just the insertable wirelesscommunication device 610, 1905 and the host-side connector 615, 2020. Insuch alternative embodiments, the host-side PCB 605, 2015 may includethe same general location and orientation with respect to the insertablewireless communication device 610, 1905 and the connector 615, 2020 asshown in FIGS. 4-7 and FIGS. 20A-20D (i.e., located in approximately thesame plane as the insertable device PCB 805, 2035 with the top andbottom surfaces of the host-side PCB 605, 2015 and the insertable devicePCB 805, 2035 extending parallel to each other). However, the host-sidePCB 605, 2015 and/or the connector 615, 2020 of the host-side PCB 605,2015 may be mounted and located outside of the compartment 405 orenclosure 1920.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the host-side PCB 605, 2015 and theinsertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 may be positioned ina different orientation with respect to each other but may still serveas a combined/extended ground plane of an antenna of the insertablewireless communication device 610, 1905. For example, the host-side PCB605, 2015 and the insertable device PCB 805, 2035 may be locatedparallel to each other but in different planes (as opposed to paralleland inline with each other as shown in FIGS. 7 and 20D. As anotherexample, the host-side PCB 605, 2015 and the insertable device PCB 805,2035 may be located parallel to each other in a side-by-side, inlineorientation rather than the host-side PCB 605, 2015 being located infront of the insertable device PCB 805, 2035 as shown in FIGS. 4-7 andFIGS. 20A-21 . As yet another example, instead of the host-side PCB 605,2015 and the insertable device PCB 805, 2035 being located inapproximately the same plane (i.e., inline with each other) with the topand bottom surfaces of the PCBs 605 and 805 extending parallel to eachother, the host-side PCB 605, 2015 and the insertable device PCB 805,2035 may be arranged perpendicularly to each other when the insertablewireless communication device 610, 1905 is inserted into the compartment405, 1910. In other words, the compartment 405, 1910 and/or thehost-side PCB 605, 2015 may be positioned differently such that theinsertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 is arrangedperpendicularly to the host-side PCB 605, 2015.

The compartment 405, 1910 and the enclosure 1920 described above areexamples. In some embodiments, the insertable wireless communicationdevice 610, 1905 is mounted differently within host devices. As shown inFIGS. 20A-20D, the insertable wireless communication device 1905 ishousingless and is mounted within the enclosure 1920 that is locatedwithin the compartment 1910 shown in FIG. 19 . The host-side PCB 2015 isalso mounted in the enclosure 1920. In other embodiments, the insertablewireless communication device 1905 may include an external housing(e.g., housing 910 of the insertable wireless communication device 610shown in FIG. 9 ). In some embodiments, the insertable wirelesscommunication device 1905 and the host-side PCB 2015 are located in thecompartment 1910 without the enclosure 1920 (e.g., similar to theinsertable wireless communication device 610 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 ).Although the enclosure 1920 is shown as having two open ends in FIGS.20A-20D, in some embodiments, the enclosure 1920 only has one open end.In such embodiments, the host-side PCB 2015 may be installed duringmanufacturing through the same end (i.e., the external end 2005) intowhich the insertable wireless communication device 1905 is configured tobe inserted. In some embodiments, host-side PCB 2015 is installed intothe enclosure 1920 during manufacturing in other manners. For example,the enclosure 1920 may include multiple parts and may be a drop-inenclosure to allow the host-side PCB 2015 to be placed in a bottom partof the drop-in enclosure from a top side of the drop-in enclosure. Thedrop-in enclosure may include a top part that is connected to the bottompart to enclose the drop-in enclosure. However, in some situations, asingle-part enclosure 1920 with one open end or two open ends as shownin FIGS. 20A-20D is preferred to reduce possible locations for ingressfluid to enter the enclosure 1920. Additional design features withrespect to the enclosure 1920 are explained previously herein withrespect to FIGS. 5B and 5C. In some embodiments, the connectors 615,905, 2020, 2025 are different types of connectors than those shown inthe figures. As explained previously herein, in some embodiments, theconnectors 615, 905, 2020, 2025 are not included and a component of thehost-side PCB 605, 2015 may be configured to wirelessly communicate withthe insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 when theinsertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 is inserted in thecompartment 405, 1910.

In some embodiments, the insertable wireless communication device 610,1905 is inserted into, secured in, and removed from the compartment 405,1910 or enclosure 1920 in other manners than those described previouslyherein. For example, the insertable wireless communication device 610,1905 may include a push mechanism/tab such that the insertable device610, 1905 is secured in the compartment 405, 1910 or enclosure 1920 bythe push mechanism/tab until a user again pushes on a rear end of theinsertable device 610, 1905 to cause the push mechanism/tab to bereleased. As another example, a tool or hook may be used to remove theinsertable device 610, 1905 from the compartment 405, 1910 or enclosure1920. As another example, the insertable device 610, 1905 may includeone or more spring-like tabs/clips configured to be actuated by a userto remove the insertable device 610, 1905. In this example, thespring-like tabs/clips may be forced inward by the compartment 405, 1910or enclosure 1920 upon a user inserting the insertable device 610, 1905into the compartment 405, 1910 or enclosure 1920. Once the insertabledevice 610, 1905 is inserted into the compartment, the spring-liketabs/clips may release outward to secure the insertable device 610, 1905into the compartment 405, 1910, or enclosure 1920.

FIG. 11 illustrates a block diagram of the power tool 104 of FIG. 3according to one example embodiment. Although the below explanation ofFIG. 11 and of the functional details of the devices in thecommunication system 100 includes reference numbers corresponding to thepower tool 104 of FIG. 3 , the below explanation applies to the powertool 104 shown in FIG. 3 and similarly to the crimper 1705 shown in FIG.17 , the power tool 1805 shown in FIG. 18 , or another power tool deviceacting as a host device for the insertable wireless device 610, 1905 asexplained previously herein. As shown in FIG. 11 , the power tool 104includes the motor 214 that includes the rotor 280 and the stator 285.The motor 214 actuates the drive device 210 and allows the drive device210 to perform the particular task. For example, the motor 214 drivesthe drive device 210, 1725 via a direct drive shaft connector or via atransmission. A battery pack couples to the power tool 104 via a batterypack interface 222 and provides electrical power to energize the motor214. The trigger 212 is coupled with a trigger switch 213. The trigger212 moves in a first direction towards the handle 204 when the trigger212 is depressed by the user. The trigger 212 is biased (e.g., with aspring) such that it moves in a second direction away from the handle204 when the trigger 212 is released by the user. When the trigger 212is depressed by the user, the trigger switch 213 becomes activated,which causes the motor 214 to be energized. When the trigger 212 isreleased by the user, the trigger switch 213 becomes deactivated, andthe motor 214 is de-energized.

As shown in FIG. 11 , the power tool 104 also includes a switchingnetwork 216, sensors 218, indicators 220, a power input unit 224, and anelectronic processor 226. The battery pack interface 222 includes acombination of mechanical (e.g., the battery pack receiving portion 206including battery support structure) and electrical components (e.g.,terminals) configured to and operable for interfacing (e.g.,mechanically, electrically, and communicatively connecting) the powertool 104 with a battery pack. The battery pack interface 222 transmitsthe power received from the battery pack to the power input unit 224.The power input unit 224 includes combinations of active and passivecomponents (e.g., voltage step-down controllers, voltage converters,rectifiers, filters, etc.) to regulate or control the power receivedthrough the battery pack interface 222 and provided to the electronicprocessor 226 and the host-side PCB 605, 2015 (e.g., to provide power toone or more components on the host-side PCB 605, 2015, to charge anenergy storage device such as a coin cell battery included on thehost-side PCB 605, 2015, and/or to allow the host-side PCB 605, 2015 totransmit power to the insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905from the battery pack when the battery pack is coupled to the power tool104).

The switching network 216 enables the electronic processor 226 tocontrol the operation of the motor 214. Generally, when the trigger 212is depressed (i.e., the trigger switch 213 is closed), electricalcurrent is supplied from the battery pack interface 222 to the motor214, via the switching network 216. When the trigger 212 is notdepressed, electrical current is not supplied from the battery packinterface 222 to the motor 214. In some embodiments, the trigger switch213 may include sensors to detect the amount of trigger pull (e.g.,released, 20% pull, 50% pull, 75% pull, or fully depressed). In someembodiments, the amount of trigger pull detected by the trigger switch213 is related to or corresponds to a desired speed of rotation of themotor 214. In other embodiments, the amount of trigger pull detected bythe trigger switch 213 is related to or corresponds to a desired torque,or other parameter. In response to the electronic processor 226receiving the activation signal from the trigger switch 213, theelectronic processor 226 activates the switching network 216 to providepower to the motor 214. The switching network 216 controls the amount ofcurrent available to the motor 214 and thereby controls the speed andtorque output of the motor 214. The switching network 216 may includeseveral field effect transistors (FETs), bipolar transistors, or othertypes of electrical switches, such as six FETs in a bridge arrangement.The electronic processor 226, in some embodiments, drives successiveswitching elements of the switching network 216 with respective pulsewidth modulation (PWM) signals to alternately drive stator coils of thestator 285, thus inducing rotation of the rotor 280.

The sensors 218 are coupled to the electronic processor 226 andcommunicate to the electronic processor 226 various signals indicativeof different parameters of the power tool 104 or the motor 214. Thesensors 218 include, for example, one or more current sensors, one ormore voltage sensors, one or more temperature sensors, one or more speedsensors, one or more Hall Effect sensors, etc. For example, the speed ofthe motor 214 can be determined using a plurality of Hall Effect sensorsto sense the rotational position of the motor 214. In some embodiments,the electronic processor 226 controls the switching network 216 inresponse to signals received from the sensors 218. For example, if theelectronic processor 226 determines that the speed of the motor 214 isincreasing too rapidly based on information received from the sensors218, the electronic processor 226 may adapt or modify the activeswitches or switching sequence within the switching network 216 toreduce the speed of the motor 214. Data obtained via the sensors 218 maybe saved in the electronic processor 226 as tool usage data.

The indicators 220 are also coupled to the electronic processor 226 andreceive control signals from the electronic processor 226 to turn on andoff or otherwise convey information based on different states of thepower tool 104. The indicators 220 include, for example, one or morelight-emitting diodes (“LED”), or a display screen. The indicators 220can be configured to display conditions of, or information associatedwith, the power tool 104. For example, the indicators 220 are configuredto indicate measured electrical characteristics of the power tool 104,the status of the power tool 104, etc. The indicators 220 may alsoinclude elements to convey information to a user through audible ortactile outputs.

As described above, the electronic processor 226 is electrically and/orcommunicatively connected to a variety of components of the power tool104. In some embodiments, the electronic processor 226 includes aplurality of electrical and electronic components that provide power,operational control, and protection to the components within theelectronic processor 226 and/or power tool 104. For example, theelectronic processor 226 includes, among other things, a processing unit230 (e.g., a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or another suitableprogrammable device), a memory 232, input units 234, and output units236. The processing unit 230 includes, among other things, a controlunit 240, an arithmetic logic unit (“ALU”) 242, and a plurality ofregisters 244 (shown as a group of registers in FIG. 11 ). In someembodiments, the electronic processor 226 is implemented partially orentirely on a semiconductor (e.g., a field-programmable gate array[“FPGA” ]semiconductor) chip, such as a chip developed through aregister transfer level (“RTL”) design process.

The memory 232 includes, for example, a program storage area 233 a and adata storage area 233 b. The program storage area 233 a and the datastorage area 233 b can include combinations of different types ofmemory, such as read-only memory (“ROM”), random access memory (“RAM”)(e.g., dynamic RAM [“DRAM” ], synchronous DRAM [“SDRAM” ], etc.),electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (“EEPROM”), flashmemory, a hard disk, an SD card, or other suitable magnetic, optical,physical, or electronic memory devices. The processing unit 230 isconnected to the memory 232 and executes software instructions that arecapable of being stored in a RAM of the memory 232 (e.g., duringexecution), a ROM of the memory 232 (e.g., on a generally permanentbasis), or another non-transitory computer readable medium such asanother memory or a disc. Software included in the implementation of thepower tool 104 can be stored in the memory 232 of the electronicprocessor 226. The software includes, for example, firmware, one or moreapplications, program data, filters, rules, and other executableinstructions. The electronic processor 226 is configured to retrievefrom memory and execute, among other things, instructions related to thecontrol processes and methods described herein. The electronic processor226 is also configured to store power tool device information on thememory 232. The power tool device information stored on the memory 232may include power tool device identification information (e.g.,including a unique identifier of the power tool 104) and also power tooldevice operational information including information regarding the usageof the power tool 104, information regarding the maintenance of thepower tool 104, power tool trigger event information, parameterinformation to operate the power tool 104 in a particular mode, andother information relevant to operating or maintaining the power tool104. In some embodiments, the information stored on the memory of a hostdevice (e.g., the power tool 104) includes a platform identifier thatgenerally identifies a type of host device as explained in greaterdetail below. In other constructions, the electronic processor 226includes additional, fewer, or different components.

In some embodiments, electrical components of the power tool 104 shownin FIG. 11 are located on one or more PCBs within the housing of thepower tool 104. For example, the power tool 104 may include a Hallsensor PCB where Hall Effect sensors are located (e.g., on a front orrear side of the motor 214). The power tool 104 may also include apower/FET PCB where the switching network 216 is located (e.g., in thehandle 204, between the handle 204 and the main body 202, in the pottingboat 1925 in the main body 1710 shown in FIG. 19 , or elsewhere withinthe housing of the power tool 104). The power tool 104 may also includea control PCB where the electronic processor 226 is located (e.g., inthe battery pack receiving portion 206 or elsewhere within the housingof the power tool 104). The power tool 104 may include wires, ribboncables, and/or the like to couple components on each of these PCBs tocomponents on other PCBs as indicated by the block diagram of FIG. 11 .In some embodiments, one or more of the Hall sensor PCB, the power/FETPCB, and the control PCB are combined such that the components on eachof these PCBs are included on less than three separate PCBs.

Additionally, as previously described herein, the power tool 104includes the host-side PCB 605, 2015 that is configured to becommunicatively coupleable to the insertable wireless communicationdevice 610, 1905 (e.g., via a wired or wireless connection). In someembodiments, the host-side PCB 605, 2015 includes an energy storagedevice 1205 (see FIG. 12A) separate from the battery pack of the powertool 104. Because the energy storage device 1205 is separate from thebattery pack of the power tool 104, the energy storage device 1205 maybe referred to as a backup battery. The energy storage device 1205 maybe a coin cell battery as indicated in FIG. 12A. The energy storagedevice 1205 may alternatively be another type of battery cell, acapacitor, or another energy storage device. In some embodiments, theenergy storage device 1205 is configured to provide power to theinsertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 (e.g., via the firstconnector 615, 2020 and the second connector 905, 2025 or a via wirelesspower transfer) when the insertable wireless communication device 610,1905 is inserted into the compartment 405, 1910. In some embodiments,the energy storage device 1205 does not provide power to energize themotor 214, drive the drive device 210, or power the power toolelectronic processor 226, and generally only powers the insertablewireless communication device 610, 1905 when a battery pack is notattached to the power tool 104. In other embodiments, the energy storagedevice 1205 also provides power to low-power elements such as, forexample, LEDs, and the like. In some embodiments, the energy storagedevice 1205 also provides power to the host device electronic processor226 to allow the host device electronic processor 226 to communicatewith the external device 108 (and/or the server 112) when the batterypack is not coupled to the power tool 104.

In some embodiments, the energy storage device 1205 is a primary (i.e.,non-rechargeable) backup battery. In other embodiments, the energystorage device 1205 includes a secondary (rechargeable) backup batterycell or a capacitor. In such embodiments, a battery pack coupled to thepower tool 104 provides charging power to recharge the backup batterycell or the capacitor. For example, the power input unit 224 may includecharging circuitry to charge the energy storage device 1205. Therechargeable cell and capacitor may be sized to provide power forseveral days or weeks before needing to recharge. While FIG. 11 showsthe power input unit 224 as a component of the power tool 104 thatprovides power received from the battery pack to the host-side PCB 605,2015 on which the energy storage device 1205 is located, in someembodiments, the host-side PCB 605, 2015 includes its own separate powerinput unit that is similar to the power input unit 224. For example, thepower input unit of the host-side PCB 605, 2015 includes combinations ofactive and passive components (e.g., voltage step-down controllers,voltage converters, rectifiers, filters, etc.) to regulate or controlthe power received from the battery pack.

As indicated by FIG. 12A, the host-side PCB 605, 2015 may also includeadditional circuitry/components 1210 to allow the energy storage device1205 and the insertable wireless communication device 610 to implementcertain functions. For example, the additional circuitry/components 1210may include the separate power input unit mentioned above, conditioningcircuitry, or other similar circuitry. As another example, theadditional circuitry/components 1210 may include a voltage sensor tomonitor a state of charge of the energy storage device 1205 and anelectronic processor to monitor the voltage sensor and provideinformation regarding the state of charge of the energy storage device1205 to the electronic processor 226. The electronic processor 226 maycontrol the indicators 220 to indicate the state of charge of the energystorage device 1205 or may transmit information regarding the state ofcharge of the energy storage device 1205 to the external device and/orthe server 112 via the insertable wireless communication device 610,1905. As another example, the electronic processor of the additionalcircuitry/components 1210 may detect when the insertable wirelesscommunication device 610, 1905 is inserted into the compartment 405,1910 and notify the electronic processor 226 of such insertion. Theadditional circuitry/components 1210 may also provide a communicationpath from the electronic processor 226 of the power tool 104 to theinsertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 to allow for externalcommunication to/from the power tool 104 and the external device 108and/or the server 112. In some embodiments, the additionalcircuitry/components 1210 include an integrated wireless communicationdevice (e.g., Bluetooth® transceiver/antenna, near-field communicationtransceiver/antenna, or the like) to allow the host-side PCB 605, 2015to wirelessly communicate with the insertable device 610, 1905 when theinsertable device 610, 1905 is inserted into the compartment 405, 1910.

In some embodiments, the host-side PCB 605, 2015 includes fewer oradditional components than those shown in FIG. 12A. For example, in thealternate embodiment shown in FIG. 12B, the host-side PCB 605, 2015 mayinclude the first connector 615, 2020, but the energy storage device1205 and the additional circuitry/components 1210 may be locatedelsewhere in the power tool 104. For example, the energy storage device1205 may be located in the battery pack receiving portion 206 (in aseparate compartment of the housing of the power tool 104 or on thecontrol PCB), and the additional circuitry/components 1210 may belocated on the control PCB. As an example of the host-side PCB 605, 2015including additional components, the host-side PCB 605, 2015 may includethe electronic processor 226, the switching network 216, and/or thelike. In other words, in some embodiments, the host-side PCB 605, 2015may serve as the control PCB and/or the power/FET PCB for the power tool104. Alternatively, the host-side PCB 605, 2015 may include some of thecomponents that would typically be included on the control PCB and/orthe power/FET PCB but such PCBs may still separately exist within thepower tool 104. As another example of the host-side PCB 605, 2015including additional components, the host-side PCB 605, 2015 may includean electronic processor (i.e., a third electronic processor in additionto the electronic processor 226 of the power tool and electronicprocessor 1305 of the insertable wireless communication device 610,1905) and an antenna (i.e., a second antenna in addition to the antenna1315 of the insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905). Theelectronic processor of the host-side PCB 605, 2015 may be coupled tothe second antenna and to the electronic processor 226 to allowinformation to be transferred between the electronic processor 226 andthe external device 108 via the second antenna via a first communicationprotocol (e.g., short-range radio communication such as Bluetooth®).Accordingly, the electronic processor of the host-side PCB 605, 2015 maybe configured to be a radio communication transceiver in someembodiments. In such embodiments, when inserted into the compartment405, 1910, the insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 mayadditionally or alternatively allow the power tool 104 to communicatewirelessly with other devices using a second communication protocoldifferent than the first communication protocol (e.g., long-range radiocommunication such as cellular communication over a cellular network).Accordingly, the insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 maybe configured to expand the communication capabilities of the power tool104 in situations where the power tool 104 already includes somewireless communication capabilities.

While FIGS. 12A and 12B indicate a length of approximately twenty eightmillimeters and a width of approximately thirty millimeters of thehost-side PCB 605, 2015 according to some embodiments, the length and/orwidth of the host-side PCB 605, 2015 may be different in otherembodiments. For example, the length and/or width of the host-side PCB605, 2015 may be different based on the size of the insertable devicePCB 805, 2035 and based on the minimum antenna efficiency standard beingused for a particular application as explained in greater detail below.

Via a data connection (e.g., a communication channel) 262 between theelectronic processor 226 and the host-side PCB 605, 2015, the electronicprocessor 226 is configured to communicatively couple to the insertablewireless communication device 610, 1905. In some embodiments, the dataconnection 262 includes one or more wires (and/or a ribbon cable) thatare connected from the electronic processor 226 to the host-side PCB605, 2015. When the insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905is inserted into the compartment 405, 1910, the second connector 905,2025 of the insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 coupleswith the first connector 615, 2020 that is coupled to the host-side PCB605, 2015 and communication between the electronic processor 226 and theinsertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 is thereby enabled.As explained previously herein, in some embodiments, the connectors 615,905, 2020, 2025 are not included and a component of the host-side PCB605, 2015 may be configured to wirelessly communicate with theinsertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 when the insertablewireless communication device 610, 1905 is inserted in the compartment405, 1910.

FIG. 13 illustrates a block diagram of the insertable wirelesscommunication device 610, 1905 according to one example embodiment. Theinsertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 enables theelectronic processor 226 of the power tool 104 to communicate with theexternal device 108 and/or the server 112 to transmit power tool data(e.g., power tool usage data, configuration data, maintenance data, andthe like) and to receive power tool configuration data (e.g., settingsfor operating the power tool 104 in a particular mode and the like) andcommands to control power tool components (e.g., turn on a work light,lock the power tool 104, and the like). The insertable device 610, 1905may also enable a location of the host device 104, 106, 1705, 1805 to bedetermined and tracked/recorded by the external device 108 and/or theserver 112.

As shown in FIG. 13 , the insertable wireless communication device 610,1905 includes an electronic processor 1305, a memory 1310, a transceiver1312 (e.g., a radio transceiver), and an antenna 1315. In someembodiments, the antenna 1315 is a monopole antenna (i.e., a groundplane antenna) that includes a conductor (e.g., a chip antenna 2105, arod-shaped conductor, etc.) mounted to the insertable device PCB 805,2035 and serving as a first portion of the antenna 1315. The antenna1315 also includes a conductive layer 2045 of the insertable device PCB805, 2035 and/or a conductive layer 1005, 2040 of the host-side PCB 605,2015 serving as a second portion (i.e., ground plane) of the antenna1315 (as described in greater detail below). In some embodiments, theantenna 1315 is a laser direct structuring (LDS) antenna that includes ametalized structure printed onto a surface of the plastic housing 910 ofthe insertable device 610 or printed onto the end cap 2110 of theinsertable device 1905 (i.e., the LDS antenna is molded into the housing910 or the end cap 2110 of the insertable wireless communication device610, 1905). For example, the LDS antenna 1315 may be printed on anexternal or internal surface of an exterior wall 625 (i.e., outermostwall when the insertable device 610 is inserted into the compartment 405as shown in FIG. 6 ) of the housing 910 of the insertable device 610.The exterior wall 625 of the insertable device 610 may be mounted flushto an exterior wall of the housing of the power tool device 104 when theinsertable device 610 is inserted into the compartment 405. In suchembodiments, the cover 410 may or may not be included. In someembodiments, the LDS antenna may consume less physical space than othertypes of antennas. In some embodiments, the LDS antenna may be printedon an external or internal surface of a different wall of the housing910 of the insertable device 610.

The antenna 1315, the transceiver 1312, and the electronic processor1305 operate together to send and receive wireless messages between theexternal device 108 (and/or the server 112) and the electronic processor226 of the power tool 104. The memory 1310 stores instructions to beimplemented by the electronic processor 1305 and/or may store datarelated to communications between the power tool 104 and the externaldevice 108 (and/or the server 112) or the like. The electronic processor1305 may control wireless communications between the power tool 104 andthe external device 108 (and/or the server 112). For example, theelectronic processor 1305 buffers incoming and/or outgoing data,communicates with the electronic processor 226 of the power tool 104,and determines the communication protocol and/or settings to use inwireless communications. In other words, the electronic processor 1305is configured to receive data from the power tool electronic processor226 and relay the information to the external device 108 (and/or theserver 112) via the transceiver 1312 and the antenna 1315. In a similarmanner, the electronic processor 1305 is configured to receiveinformation (e.g., configuration and programming information) from theexternal device 108 (and/or the server 112) via the transceiver 1312 andthe antenna 1315 and relay the information to the power tool electronicprocessor 226. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the electronicprocessor 1305 functions as one or more radio transceivers (i.e., thefunctionality of the transceiver 1312 may be included in the electronicprocessor 1305 in some embodiments). In other embodiments, theinsertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 may include multipleseparate transceivers 1312 (e.g., radio transceivers) that each includetheir own electronic processor (e.g., see FIG. 14A) or that communicatewith the electronic processor 1305 to allow the insertable wirelesscommunication device 610, 1905 to use different communication protocolsto communicate via the antenna 1315. As explained previously herein, insome embodiments, the connectors 615, 905, 2020, 2025 are not includedand a component of the host-side PCB 605, 2015 may be configured towirelessly communicate with the insertable wireless communication device610, 1905 when the insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 isinserted in the compartment 405, 1910. In such embodiments, suchwireless communication with the host-side PCB 605, 2015 may occur viathe same communication protocol and/or the same circuitry of theinsertable device 610, 1905 that is used to communicate with theexternal device 108 and/or the server 112. Alternatively, wirelesscommunication with the host-side PCB 605, 2015 may occur via a differentcommunication protocol and/or different circuitry of the insertabledevice 610, 1905 than that which is used to communicate with theexternal device 108 and/or the server 112.

In some embodiments, the insertable wireless communication device 610,1905 includes a Bluetooth® transceiver 1405, 1435 (e.g., a Bluetooth®low energy (BLE) transceiver 1405, 1435 as shown in FIGS. 14A-14C and14F-14H). The Bluetooth® transceiver 1405, 1435 communicates with theexternal device 108 employing the Bluetooth® protocol. Therefore, insuch an embodiment, the external device 108 and the power tool 104 arewithin a communication range (i.e., in proximity) of each other whilethey exchange data. In other embodiments, the insertable wirelesscommunication device 610, 1905 communicates using other protocols (e.g.,Wi-Fi, cellular protocols, etc.) over a different type of wirelessnetwork. For example, the insertable wireless communication device 610,1905 may include a Wi-Fi transceiver 1410 (see FIGS. 14C and 14H)configured to communicate via Wi-Fi through a wide area network such asthe Internet or a local area network, or to communicate through apiconet (e.g., using infrared or NFC communications). As anotherexample, the insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 mayinclude a cellular communication transceiver 1415 configured tocommunicate over a cellular network. The communication via theinsertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 may be encrypted toprotect the data exchanged between the power tool 104 and the externaldevice 108 (or network) from third parties. In some embodiments, theantenna 1315 is a multi-band/multi-protocol antenna. In other words, asingle antenna may be used for multiple transceivers that use differentcommunication protocols (e.g., Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi, GPS, cellular, etc. asshown in FIG. 14A). In such embodiments, each transceiver mayselectively connect to the antenna via a respective switch, powerdivider, or frequency dependent impedance network.

Specific examples of communication capabilities between the power tool104 and the external device 108 and other capabilities of the insertablewireless communication device 610, 1905 are included in U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/801,975, which was filed Feb. 6, 2019 and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 16/056,710, which was filed Aug. 7, 2018,the contents of both of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Insome embodiments, the insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905functions similarly as the wireless communication device 300 describedin U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/056,710. For example, theinsertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 is configured toperiodically broadcast an identification signal for the power tool 104that includes unique identification information stored by the power toolmemory 232 and provided to the insertable wireless communication device610, 1905 by the power tool electronic processor 226. The identificationsignal for the power tool 104 can then be used to track the location ofthe power tool 104 (see FIG. 16 and corresponding explanation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 16/056,710). In some embodiments, theinsertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 broadcasts anidentification signal to the external device 108, and the externaldevice 108 determines its own location (e.g., using a GNSS receiver) andtransmits the location of the external device 108 and the identificationinformation of the power tool 104 to the server 112 over a network. Suchcommunication using the external device 108 as the intermediary allowsthe approximate location of the power tool 104 to be determined becausethe insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 is known to bewithin communication range (e.g., Bluetooth® communication range) of theexternal device 108 when the external device 108 receives thebroadcasted identification signal from the insertable wirelesscommunication device 610, 1905. In other embodiments, for example wherethe insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 has cellularcommunication capabilities (see FIGS. 14A and 14F or the embodimentexplained with respect to FIG. 16 of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/801,975), the insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905may be configured to communicate identification information and locationinformation directly to the server 112 over the network without usingthe external device 108 as an intermediary. In such embodiments, theinsertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 may include a globalpositioning system (GPS) transceiver 1420 to determine its location (seeFIGS. 14A and 14F). Such embodiments may allow for more precise locationdetermination of the power tool 104 and do not require the externaldevice 108 to serve as an intermediary between the insertable wirelesscommunication device 610, 1905 and the server 112. However, suchembodiments may require additional components and/or larger componentsin the insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 that may takeup limited space in the insertable wireless communication device 610,1905 and in the portion of the power tool 104 where the compartment 405,1910 is located. While the above embodiments involve communicationbetween the insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 and theserver 112 directly for tracking purposes or through the external device108 as an intermediary for tracking purposes, such communication betweenany of these devices is possible for other purposes as well (e.g.,storing tool usage data, retrieving stored modes and/or operationalparameters to program the power tool 104, retrieving firmware updates,and the like).

As another example of tracking the location of the host devices 104,106, 1705, 1805 without using the external device 108 as anintermediary, the insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 ofa host device 104, 106, 1705, 1805 may use a Wi-Fi transceiver 1410 anda cellular communication transceiver 1415 to determine its location. Insome embodiments, the Wi-Fi transceiver 1410 is configured to sniff fornearby Wi-Fi routers and transmit nearby Wi-Fi router information, viathe cellular communication transceiver, to the server 112. The server112 may then transmit the Wi-Fi router data to a location serviceprovider. The location service provider then determines a location ofthe insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 based on thereceived Wi-Fi router information. The location service provider maytransmit the determined location of the insertable device 610, 1905 backto the server 112 such that an external device 108 of a user maycommunicate with the server 112 to access the determined location of theinsertable device 610, 1905 (and the host device 104, 106, 1705, 1805 towhich the insertable device 610, 1905) is attached.

As another example of a function that the insertable wirelesscommunication device 610, 1905 may perform, the insertable wirelesscommunication device 610, 1905 allows the host device 104, 106, 1705,1805 to be locked out in response to user selection on the externaldevice 108. In other words, the external device 108 and/or the server112 may send a command to the power tool 104 via the insertable wirelesscommunication device 610, 1905 to prevent the motor 214 from operatingeven in response to actuation of the trigger 212 (see FIG. 17 andcorresponding explanation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/056,710). Such a command may control the power tool 104 toimmediately lock out or to lock out at a future time. In someembodiments, the insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 maylock out (i.e., disable) the power tool 104 by preventing communicationsbetween the battery pack coupled to the power tool 104 and the powertool 104 or by sending a lock command to the electronic processor 226instructing the electronic processor 226 to not drive the motor 214 inresponse to actuation of the trigger 212. As another example of afunction that the insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 mayperform, the insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 may beconfigured to be electronically irremovable from the power tool 104 suchthat the power tool 104 is unable to operate if the insertable wirelesscommunication device 610, 1905 is removed from the power tool 104 (seeFIGS. 29-31 and corresponding explanation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/056,710).

In some embodiments, the insertable wireless communication device 610,1905 includes more or fewer components than those shown in FIG. 13 . Forexample, the insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 mayinclude an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and/or subscriber identity module(SIM) card. In some embodiments, the electronic processor 1305 of theinsertable device 610, 1905 requests more or less current from theenergy storage device 1205 or battery pack of the host device 104, 106,1705, 1805 based on, for example, the components included on theinsertable device 610, 1905 and depending on which of the components iscontrolled to function at a given time. For example, the electronicprocessor 1305 of the insertable device 610, 1905 may communicate withthe electronic processor 226 of the host device 104, 106, 1705, 1805 torequest more or less current. As another example of the insertablewireless communication device 610, 1905 including more or fewercomponents than those shown in FIG. 13 , in addition to or as analternative to the host-side PCB 605, 2015 of the power tool 104including the energy storage device 1205, the insertable wirelesscommunication device 610, 1905 may include the energy storage device1205. In such embodiments, the insertable wireless communication device610, 1905 may also include the separate power input circuitry describedabove with respect to the host-side PCB 605, 2015.

In embodiments where the insertable device 610, 1905 includes anaccelerometer or other motion detector, the insertable device 610, 1905may determine its location (e.g., using the GPS transceiver 1420) andtransmit its determined location (e.g., to the server 112 using thecellular communication transceiver 1415 and the antenna 1315) more oftenwhen the electronic processor 1305 determines that the insertable device610, 1905 is being moved than when the insertable device 610, 1905 hasremained stationary for a period of time. For example, the insertabledevice 610, 1905 may determine and provide its location once per day tothe server 112 when the electronic processor 1305 has not detectedmovement of the insertable device 610, 1905/host device 104, 106, 1705,1805 based on a signal from the accelerometer. On the other hand, whenthe electronic processor 1305 detects movement of the insertable device610, 1905/host device 104, 106, 1705, 1805 based on a signal from theaccelerometer, the insertable device 610, 1905 may determine and provideits location more often (e.g., once every one minute, five minutes, tenminutes, or the like). In some embodiments, the electronic processor1305 logs a time and/or location in response to detecting movement ofthe insertable device 610, 1905/host device 104, 106, 1705, 1805 basedon a signal from the accelerometer. This logged movement information maybe transmitted to the external device 108 to be displayed to a user toallow the user to determine when and where motion of the insertabledevice 610, 1905/host device 104, 106, 1705, 1805 has been detected.

FIGS. 14A through 14J illustrate different example embodiments of theinsertable device PCB 805, 2035 of the insertable wireless communicationdevice 610, 1905 that include different specific components representedby the general block diagram of FIG. 13 .

As shown in FIGS. 14A, the insertable device PCB 805, 2035 includes thechip antenna 2105, the connector 905, 2025, the BLE transceiver 1405,the cellular communication transceiver 1415, and the GPS transceiver1420. In some embodiments, the BLE transceiver 1405 and the cellularcommunication transceiver 1415 may be referred to as radio communicationtransceivers. The insertable device PCB 805, 2035 of FIG. 14A alsoincludes additional circuitry/components 1425 that allow the othercomponents to function (e.g., conditioning circuitry, etc. in accordancewith specifications of the other components). The insertable device PCB805, 2035 of FIG. 14A also includes a keepout zone 1430 that does notinclude any components based on the specification of one or more of thesurrounding components. FIG. 14F shows an alternative PCB layout for theinsertable device PCB 805, 2035 including many similar components asthose shown in FIG. 14A. The insertable device PCB 805, 2035 of FIG. 14Falso includes a power input unit 1445 that may perform a similarfunction as the power input unit 224 of the power tool 104. Theinsertable device PCB 805, 2035 of FIG. 14F also includes a subscriberidentity module (SIM) card 1450.

In FIGS. 14A and 14F, the chip antenna 2105 may be amulti-band/multi-protocol antenna used by the BLE transceiver 1405, thecellular communication transceiver 1415, and the GPS transceiver 1420.In such embodiments, each transceiver may selectively connect to thechip antenna 2105 via a respective switch, power divider, or frequencydependent impedance network, and such circuitry may be included withineach transceiver and/or within the additional circuitry/components 1425.In other embodiments, one or more of the transceivers 1405, 1415, and1420 may have their own antennas. For example, the chip antenna 2105 maybe used only by the cellular communication transceiver 1415 and not byother transceivers included on the insertable device PCB 805, 2035 insome embodiments. As another example, the BLE transceiver 1405 may bemounted on an opposite side (e.g., a top side) of the insertable devicePCB 805, 2035 than the cellular communication transceiver 1415. As shownin FIG. 14A, in some embodiments, the cellular communication transceiver1415 may be mounted on the bottom surface of the insertable device PCB805, 2035 and may partially overlap/obscure a portion of the BLEtransceiver 1405 mounted on the top surface of the insertable device PCB805, 2035. In such embodiments, a portion of the BLE transceiver 1405that does not overlap with (i.e., is not obscured by) the cellularcommunication transceiver 1415 includes an integrated antenna of the BLEtransceiver 1405. In other words, the portion of the BLE transceiver1405 that is shown in FIG. 14A represents an antenna of the BLEtransceiver 1405, and the BLE transceiver 1405 is mounted on theopposite surface (e.g., the top surface) of the insertable device PCB805, 2035 from the cellular communication transceiver 1415. As indicatedby the preceding example, the components of the insertable device PCB805, 2035 shown in FIGS. 14A through 14J may be mounted on either thetop surface or the bottom surface of the insertable device PCB 805,2035. In other words, FIGS. 14A through 14J do not necessarily indicatethat the components shown on the insertable device PCB 805, 2035 arelocated on a single surface of the insertable device PCB 805, 2035.

FIG. 14B illustrates another embodiment of the insertable device PCB805, 2035 of the insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905where the insertable device PCB 805, 2035 includes the second connector905, 2025, the additional circuitry/components 1425, and a BLEtransceiver 1435. As shown in FIG. 14B, the BLE transceiver 1435 isshown as larger than the BLE transceiver 1405 of FIG. 14A because theBLE transceiver 1435 is not overlapped with/obscured by any othercomponents of the insertable device PCB 805, 2035. Although thereference number 1425 is used to denote the additionalcircuitry/components in each of FIGS. 14A-14J, the specificcircuitry/components within the additional circuitry/components 1425 ineach embodiment may be different (e.g., based on the other componentsincluded on the insertable device PCB 805, 2035 in each embodiment).FIG. 14G shows an alternative PCB layout for the insertable device PCB805, 2035 including many similar components as those shown in FIG. 14B.

FIG. 14C illustrates yet another embodiment of the insertable device PCB805, 2035 of the insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905where the insertable device PCB 805, 2035 includes the second connector905, 2025, the additional circuitry/components 1425, the BLE transceiver1435, and the Wi-Fi transceiver 1410. In some embodiments, the Wi-Fitransceiver 1410 includes its own integrated antenna. FIG. 14H shows analternative PCB layout for the insertable device PCB 805, 2035 includingmany similar components as those shown in FIG. 14C.

FIG. 14D illustrates another embodiment of the insertable device PCB805, 2035 of the insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905where the insertable device PCB 805, 2035 includes the second connector905, 2025, the additional circuitry/components 1425, and a combined BLEand Ultra-Wideband (UWB) transceiver 1440. In some embodiments, thecombined BLE and UWB transceiver 1440 includes its own integratedantenna. FIG. 14I shows an alternative PCB layout for the insertabledevice PCB 805, 2035 including many similar components as those shown inFIG. 14D.

FIG. 14E illustrates another embodiment of the insertable device PCB805, 2035 of the insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905where the insertable device PCB 805, 2035 includes the second connector905, 2025 the additional circuitry/components 1425, a microcontroller(i.e., the electronic processor 1305), and the memory 1310. Although theinsertable device PCB 805, 2035 shown in FIG. 14E does not include acomponent that allows for wireless communication capability like thepreviously-described embodiments, the insertable wireless communicationdevice 610, 1905 including such an insertable device PCB 805, 2035 maybe used to collect and log host device operational data such as during auser trial, an engineering test, troubleshooting, and/or the like. Theinsertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 of FIG. 14E may thenbe removed from the power tool device 104, and the collected data couldbe analyzed by a separate, external device (e.g., a personal computerwith a wired communication interface between the insertable wirelesscommunication device 610, 1905 and the personal computer). Additionallyor alternatively, the insertable device PCB 805, 2035 shown in FIG. 14Emay be used to add additional non-wireless communication functions tothe host device 104, 106, 1705, 1805 into which the insertable wirelesscommunication device 610, 1905 is inserted. For example, the insertabledevice PCB 805, 2035 may include a vibration sensor, an air qualitysensor, an accelerometer or a gyroscope to detect movements of the powertool device 104 such as when the power tool device 104 is dropped by auser, voice control circuitry, and/or the like. As additional examples,the insertable device PCB 805, 2035 of FIG. 14E may provide additionalprocessing power/capabilities, a method for detecting the presence oflive electrical wires, a temperature and/or humidity sensor, and/or thelike. As another example, the insertable device PCB 805, 2035 of FIG.14E may include a lighting device configured to illuminate a work areaby receiving power from the energy storage device 1205 or the batterypack of the host device 104, 106, 1705, 1805 to which the insertabledevice 610, 1905 is coupled. FIG. 14I shows an alternative PCB layoutfor the insertable device PCB 805, 2035 including many similarcomponents as those shown in FIG. 14E. The non-wireless communicationfunctions explained above may also be included in the insertable devicePCB 805, 2035 of one or more of the other embodiments of FIGS. 14A-14Dand 14F-14I.

Although the electronic processor 1305 is not shown in all FIGS.14A-14J, in some embodiments, the electronic processor 1305 of FIG. 13represents one or more of the components shown in FIGS. 14A-14J.Alternatively, the electronic processor 1305 may be present on theinsertable device PCB 805, 2035, for example, in the additionalcircuitry/components 1425.

As indicated in FIGS. 14A through 14E, the length of the insertabledevice PCB 805, 2035 of the insertable wireless communication device 610may be approximately thirty-two millimeters and the width of the secondPCB 805 may be approximately thirty millimeters. These dimensions aremerely examples and could be different in different situations (forexample, see the dimensions included in FIG. 23 ). With the relativelysmall length and width of the insertable device PCB 805, 2035, using aconductive layer (e.g., a copper layer) of the insertable device PCB805, 2035 as the ground plane for the antenna 1315 (e.g., a quarter-wavemonopole/ground plane antenna as described previously herein) may notallow the antenna 1315 to meet the minimum antenna efficiency standardto function properly (e.g., for cellular communication). Accordingly, inorder to maintain the insertable device PCB 805, 2035 at a relativelysmall size but still allow the antenna 1315 to meet the minimum antennaefficiency standard, the antenna 1315 is configured to additionally oralternatively use the conductive layer 1005, 2040 of the host-side PCB605, 2015 of the power tool 104 to create an extended ground plane whenthe insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 is inserted intothe compartment 405, 1910. For example, the conductive layer 1005, 2040of the host-side PCB 605, 2015 is configured to be electrically coupledto one or more ground pins of the antenna 1315 via the first connector615, 2020 and the second connector 905, 2025 such that the conductivelayer 1005, 2040 of the host-side PCB 605, 2015 serves as at least aportion of a ground plane of the antenna 1315. In some embodiments, aconductive layer 2045 of the insertable device PCB 805, 2035 is alsoconfigured to be electrically coupled to one or more ground pins of theantenna 1315 such that both the host-side PCB 605, 2015 and theinsertable device PCB 805, 2035 provide a portion of the ground planefor the antenna 1315. Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 20D, whenthe insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 is inserted intothe compartment 405, 1910, the host-side PCB 605, 2015 and theinsertable device PCB 805, 2035 are configured to extend inapproximately the same plane inline with each other (and extendapproximately parallel to each other) and are configured to serve incombination as the ground plane of the antenna 1315. In suchembodiments, dimensions of the ground plane provided by the host-sidePCB 605, 2015 and the insertable device PCB 805, 2035 may beapproximately thirty three millimeters by seventy five millimeters.

In some embodiments, the host-side PCB 605, 2015 is configured to belarge enough such that only the conductive layer 1005, 2040 of thehost-side PCB 605, 2015 serves as the ground plane of the antenna 1315and a conductive layer 2045 of the insertable device PCB 805, 2035 doesnot serve as part of the ground plane for the antenna 1315 even thoughthe insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 includes anotherpart of the antenna 1315 (i.e., a chip antenna/conductor 2105 mounted onthe insertable device PCB 805, 2035). In other embodiments, theinsertable device PCB 805, 2035 may be configured to be large enoughsuch that only a conductive layer 2045 of the insertable device PCB 805,2035 serves as the ground plane for the antenna 1315 and the conductivelayer 1005, 2040 of the host-side PCB 605, 2015 does not serve as partof the ground plane for the antenna 1315. For example, the antenna 1315may have a larger conductor portion or may not be a chip antenna 2105,which may allow a smaller ground plane to be used for effective wirelesscommunication than when an antenna with a smaller conductor portion isused or when a chip antenna 2105 is used.

Although the above embodiments include at least a portion of the antenna1315 (e.g., a conductor portion 2105) being located on the insertablewireless communication device 610, 1905, in some embodiments, the powertool 104 may be manufactured with at least a portion of the antenna 1315(e.g., a conductor portion 2105) included within the housing of the hostdevice 104, 106, 1705, 1805. In such embodiments, the insertablewireless communication device 610, 1905 may include transceivercircuitry that is configured to communicate via the antenna 1315 of thehost device 104, 106, 1705, 1805 when the insertable wirelesscommunication device 610, 1905 is inserted into the compartment 405,1910. In other words, even though the host device 104, 106, 1705, 1805is manufactured to include the antenna 1315 in such embodiments, thehost device 104, 106, 1705, 1805 may not include transceiver circuitryto allow for communication with an external device 108 unless theinsertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 is inserted into thecompartment 405, 1910. In some of such embodiments, a ground plane ofthe antenna 1315 of the power tool 104 may be formed by either one orboth of the host-side PCB 605, 2015 of the host device 104, 106, 1705,1805 and the insertable device PCB 805, 2035 of the insertable wirelesscommunication device 610, 1905.

In some embodiments, the length and/or width of the host-side PCB 605,2015 and/or the insertable device PCB 805, 2035 may be different thanthe dimensions labeled in FIGS. 12A, 12B, 14A-14E, and 23 . For example,depending on the desired size of one of the host-side PCB 605, 2015 andthe insertable device PCB 805, 2035 and the minimum antenna efficiencystandard for a given application/communication protocol, the lengthand/or width of the other one of the host-side PCB 605, 2015 and theinsertable device PCB 805, 2035 may be correspondingly re-sized suchthat the combined length and/or surface area of the conductive layers ofboth PCBs 605, 2015 and 805, 2035 provides a large enough ground planefor the antenna 1315 to meet the minimum antenna efficiency standardsfor the desired application/communication protocol.

In some embodiments, as the length of the ground plane extending from aconductor portion 2105 of the antenna 1315 increases, a signal strengthof the antenna 1315 increases. A ground plane for the antenna 1315 maybe any conductive surface in which radio frequency current may flow.Accordingly, in some embodiments, one or more ground wires connectedfrom the host-side PCB 605, 2015 to ground of a power source of thepower tool 104 (e.g., a battery pack) may further extend the groundplane of the antenna 1315 to improve the signal strength of the antenna1315. FIG. 24 illustrates a diagram of a further extended ground planeof the antenna 1315 using one or more wires 2405 connected from thehost-side PCB 605, 2015 to ground of a power source of the power tool104. The ground wire(s) 2405 provide another path for radio frequencycurrent to flow and thus provide increased antenna efficiency andperformance. In embodiments where the ground wire 2405 is used tofurther extend the ground plane of the antenna 1315 to improve antennaefficiency and performance, the ground wire 2405 is arranged away frommetal surfaces and other wires. For example, the ground wire 2405 maynot be wrapped around a metal surface (e.g., a motor enclosure) orbundled with other non-ground wires (e.g., including a power wire)because wrapping the ground wire 2405 around a metal surface or bundlingthe ground wire 2405 with other wires may reduce the effectiveness ofthe ground wire 2405 to serve as a further extension of the ground placeof the antenna 1315.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a method 1500 to allow the host device 104,106, 1705, 1805 to communicate with an external device such as theexternal device 108 and/or the server 112. At block 1505, the hostdevice 104, 106, 1705, 1805 receives the insertable wirelesscommunication device 610, 1905 in the compartment 405, 1910. At block1510, when the insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 isinserted into the compartment 405, the antenna 1315 of the insertablewireless communication device 610, 1905 is electrically coupled to theconductive layer 1005, 2040 of the host-side PCB 605, 2015 of the hostdevice 104, 106, 1705, 1805 such that the conductive layer 1005, 2040 ofthe host-side PCB 605, 2015 serves as at least a portion of the groundplane of the antenna 1315 as previously herein. For example, theconductive layer 1005, 2040 of the host-side PCB 605, 2015 iselectrically coupled to one or more ground pins of the chip antenna 2105of the insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 via the firstconnector 615, 2020 and the second connector 905, 2025. At block 1515,the electronic processor 226 of the host device 104, 106, 1705, 1805communicates information to and/or from the external device 108 and/orthe server 112 via the electronic processor 1305 of the insertablewireless communication device 610, 1905 and via the antenna 1315.

Turning to other devices of the communication system 100 of FIG. 1 thatmay include similar components and functionality as the power tooldevice 104, 1705, 1805, FIG. 25A illustrates the transmitting device 106according to one example embodiment. In some embodiments, thetransmitting device 106 includes one or more securing elementsconfigured to secure the transmitting device to an object to be tracked.For example, the transmitting device 106 includes mounting holes 2505that are configured to receive fasteners (e.g., screws) to secure ahousing 2510 of the transmitting device 106 to an object to be tracked.Other securing elements are used in some embodiments, such as anadhesive pad on the back of the housing 2510. In some embodiments, thetransmitting device 106 includes a housing having one or more of adifferent shape (e.g., a rectangular shape), differently positionedmounting holes 2505, and different securing elements for mounting toobjects to be tracked than those shown in FIG. 25A. FIG. 25B illustratesthe transmitting device 106 attached to an object 2515 to be tracked(e.g., a ladder).

FIG. 26 illustrates a block diagram of the transmitting device 106according to one example embodiment. In some embodiments, thetransmitting device 106 includes an electronic processor 2605, a memory2610, and an energy storage device 2615 (e.g., a backup battery such asa coin cell battery). The transmitting device 106 also includes theconnector 615, 2020 described previously herein with respect to thehost-side PCB 605, 2015 of the power tool 104, 1705. The housing 2510 ofthe transmitting device 106 may include a compartment similar to thecompartment 405, 1910 of the power tool 104, 1705 (e.g., including theenclosure 1920). Accordingly, the transmitting device 106 is configuredto be a host device to receive and couple to the insertable wirelesscommunication device 610, 1905 in a similar manner as the power tooldevice 104, 1705, 1805. In other words, the insertable wirelesscommunication device 610, 1905 is configured to be interchangeablyinserted into the power tool 104, 1705, 1805 or the transmitting device106. In some embodiments, the transmitting device 106 and the power tooldevice 104, 1705, 1805 are configured to receive any one of multipledifferent types of insertable communication devices 610, 1905 that havethe same physical design and connector 905, 2025. For example, FIGS.14A-14I illustrate insertable wireless communication devices 610, 1905with the same physical design and connector 905, 2025 but with differentfunctional/communication capabilities. For example, a first insertablewireless communication device 610, 1905 is configured to wirelesslycommunicate with the external device 108 using short-range radiocommunication using a first communication protocol (e.g., Bluetooth®)while a second insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 isconfigured to wirelessly communicate with the external device 108 and/orthe server 112 using long-range radio communication (e.g., over acellular network, the Internet, or the like) using a secondcommunication protocol different from the first communication protocol.In some embodiments, the second insertable wireless communication device610, 1905 may additionally be configured to communicate with theexternal device 108 using short-range radio communication using thefirst communication protocol.

In some embodiments, the components of the transmitting device 106 aresimilar to those of the host-side PCB 605, 2015 of the power tool 104,1705, and the explanation previously herein of the components of thehost-side PCB 605, 2015 applies to the transmitting device 106. Forexample, when an insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 iscoupled to the transmitting device 106, the energy storage device 2615provides power to the components of the insertable wirelesscommunication device 610, 1905 to, for example, allow the insertablewireless communication device 610, 1905 to communicate with the externaldevice 108 and/or the server 112. In some embodiments, the insertablewireless communication device 610, 1905 may retrieve a transmittingdevice identifier from the memory 2610 of the transmitting device 106and periodically broadcast the transmitting device identifier fortracking purposes in accordance with tracking methods describedpreviously herein. The general description previously herein ofelectrical components of the insertable wireless communication device610, 1905 and the host device 104, 1705, 1805 applies to like-namedcomponents of the transmitting device 106 (e.g., the general descriptionof the functionality of an electronic processor, memory, energy storagedevice, and connectors or wireless communication components used inplace of the connectors).

In some embodiments, the transmitting device 106 includes more or fewerelectrical components in different arrangements than those shown in FIG.26 . For example, the transmitting device 106 may not include theelectronic processor 2605. As another example, the transmitting device106 may include a user input device (e.g., a button) and/or a useroutput device (e.g., a light-emitting diode, a speaker, etc.). As yetanother example, the transmitting device 106 may include an antennaconfigured to be used by a transceiver of the insertable wirelesscommunication device 610, 1905. The transmitting device 106 may alsoinclude one or more sensors such as a vibration sensor, an air qualitysensor, an accelerometer or a gyroscope, or the like. In someembodiments, the transmitting device 106 includes a PCB similar to thehost-side PCB 605, 2015 and on which the electrical components of FIG.26 are mounted. In other embodiments, the transmitting device 106includes a different PCB (e.g., a smaller PCB) or does not include a PCBat all. In some embodiments, one or more electrical components of thetransmitting device 106 may be mounted within the housing of thetransmitting device 106 and coupled to each other via wires. In someembodiments, the housing of the transmitting device 106 is made of adurable and light-weight plastic material. As explained previouslyherein with respect to other host devices, in some embodiments, thetransmitting device 106 may not include a physical electrical connector.Rather, a component of the host-side PCB 2015 may be configured towirelessly communicate with the insertable wireless communication device1905 when the insertable wireless communication device 1905 is insertedin the transmitting device 106.

Because any given insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 maybe inserted into a number of different host devices (e.g., differentpower tool devices 104 and different transmitting devices 106), theinsertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 may be paired withthe host device 104, 106 after the insertable device 610, 1905 isinserted into a compartment 405, 1910 of a host device 104, 106. In someembodiments, pairing of the insertable device 610, 1905 and the hostdevice 104, 106 occurs upon insertion into a compartment 405, 1910 of ahost device 104, 106. For example, even if the electronic processor 226,2605 of the host device 104, 106 is in a low power sleep mode, acomponent of the host-side PCB 605, 2015 recognizes that the insertabledevice 610, 1905 has been connected to the connector 615, 2020 andtransmits a signal to wake up the electronic processor 226, 2605 of thehost device 104, 106. In other embodiments, pairing of the insertabledevice 610, 1905 and the host device 104, 106 may not occur until thenext time the electronic processor 226, 2605 of the host devices wakesup (e.g., in response to a user attempting to use the host device 104,106 by, for example, actuating the trigger 212, 1730 or pressing abutton on the transmitting device 106). In some embodiments, theinsertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 does not include itsown energy storage unit and, thus, does not function to track itslocation unless and until the insertable wireless communication device610, 1905 is inserted into a host device 104, 106 that includes anenergy storage device as described previously herein. In other words,the insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 may notperiodically broadcast beacon signals for location tracking unless anduntil the insertable device 610, 1905 is inserted into a host device104, 106.

In some embodiments, the same external device 108 associated with eachof the insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 and the hostdevice 104, 106 is used to pair the insertable device 610, 1905 and thehost device 104, 106 with each other. For example, a smartphone of anowner of the insertable device 610, 1905 and the host device 104, 106may be used by the owner to pair the insertable device 610, 1905 and thehost device 104, 106 with each other.

FIG. 27 illustrates a flowchart of a method 2700 performed by anunassociated insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905 insertedinto a host device 104, 106 (at block 2705). In other words, theinsertable device 610, 1905 has not been paired/associated with the hostdevice 104, 106 or with another host device 104, 106. When theinsertable device 610, 1905 is described as performing a task/function,it should be understood that the electronic processor 1305 of theinsertable device 610, 1905 performs the task/function in conjunctionwith other appropriate components (e.g., the memory, 1310, thetransceiver, 1312, and the antenna 1315). Similarly, when the hostdevice 104, 106, the external device 108, or the server 112 is describedas performing a task/function, it should be understood that one or moreelectronic processors of these devices performs the task/function inconjunction with other appropriate components (e.g., memory,transceiver, antenna, and the like).

At block 2710, the insertable device 610, 1905 receives power from anenergy storage device 1205, 2615 of the host device 104, 106 andbroadcasts a unique identifier of the insertable device 610, 1905 (e.g.,periodic broadcasting at predetermined time intervals). In alternateembodiments, at block 2710, the unassociated insertable device 610, 1905receives power but does not broadcast its unique identifier when theelectronic processor 226 of the host device 104, 106 is not awake (i.e.,is in a low power sleep mode). At block 2715, the insertable device 610,1905 determines whether the electronic processor 226, 2605 of the hostdevice 104, 106 is awake. As noted above, in some embodiments, theinsertion of the insertable device 610, 1905 into the host device 104,106 may not wake up the electronic processor 226, 2605 of the hostdevice 104, 106. The insertable device 610, 1905 may determine that theelectronic processor 226, 2605 is awake by receiving a signal from theelectronic processor 226, 2605 via the host-side PCB 605, 2015 andconnector 615, 2020. When the electronic processor 226, 2605 is notawake and is, instead, in a low power sleep mode, the insertable device610, 1905 proceeds to repeat blocks 2710 and 2715 until the electronicprocessor 226, 2605 wakes up or until the insertable device 610, 1905 isremoved from the host device 104, 106. At block 2715, when theinsertable device 610, 1905 determines that the electronic processor226, 2605 is awake (e.g., awoken in response to the trigger 212, 1730 ofthe host device 104, 106 being actuated by a user), the method 2700proceeds to block 2720.

At block 2720, in response to the electronic processor 226, 2605 of thehost device 104, 106 being woken up/exiting the low power sleep mode,the insertable device 610, 1905 requests and receives a uniqueidentifier of the host device 104, 106 from the host device 104, 106. Insome embodiments, the insertable device 610, 1905 stores the uniqueidentifier of the host device 104, 106 in the memory 1310. For example,the insertable device 610, 1905 stores the unique identifier of the hostdevice 104, 106 in a volatile memory portion of the memory 1310.Continuing this example, if the insertable device 610, 1905 is removedfrom the host device 104, 106 prior to being associated with the hostdevice 104, 106, the insertable device 610, 1905 may no longer store theunique identifier of the of the host device 104, 106 because power is nolonger supplied to the insertable device 610, 1905.

At block 2725, the insertable device 610, 1905 transmits the uniqueidentifier of the insertable device 610, 1905 to the host device 104,106. At block 2730, in response to the transmission of the uniqueidentifier of the insertable device 610, 1905, the insertable device 610receives an acknowledgement from the host device 104, 106 that the hostdevice 104, 106 received the unique identifier of the insertable device610, 1905. In some embodiments, the host device 104, 106 may not storethe unique identifier of the insertable device 610, 1905 duringexecution of the method 2700. However, the acknowledgement provided bythe host device 104, 106 to the insertable device 610, 1905 may indicatewhether the host device 104, 106 is already associated with anotherinsertable device 610, 1905.

At block 2735, the insertable device 610, 1905 determines whether theacknowledgement from the host device 104, 106 indicates that the hostdevice is already associated with another insertable device 610, 1905.When the acknowledgement indicates that the host device 104, 106 isalready associated with another insertable device 610, 1905, at block2740, the insertable device 610, 1905 broadcasts the unique identifierof the insertable device 610, 1905, the unique identifier of the hostdevice, and an improper device removal flag. In some embodiments, theimproper device removal flag indicates that the insertable device 610,1905 is coupled to a host device 104, 106 that is alreadyassociated/paired with another insertable device 610, 1905. In someembodiments, upon the external device 108 receiving such a broadcastedmessage from the insertable device 610, 1905, the external device 108determines that the insertable device 610, 1905 previously associatedwith the host device 104, 106 was improperly removed from the hostdevice 104, 106 (e.g., without performing a dissociation method asexplained below with respect to FIG. 30 ). In response thereto, theexternal device 108 may transmit a message to the server 112 to instructthe server 112 to flag the previously-associated host device 104, 106and/or the host device 104, 106 to which the insertable device 610, 1905is currently attached as missing in a tracking database. In someembodiments, the external device 108 may also transmit a lockinginstruction to the insertable device 610, 1905 to relay to theelectronic processor 226 of the host device 104 when the host device 104is a power tool device 104, 1705, 1805. The locking instruction mayinclude a unique password of the power tool device 104, 1705, 1805 andan instruction to prevent some or all operations of the power tooldevice 104, 1705, 1805. For example, when the power tool device 104,1705, 1805 is locked, the motor 214 and the drive device 210, 1725 maynot operate in response to the trigger 212, 1730 being actuated.

On the other hand, at block 2735, when the acknowledgement indicatesthat the host device 104, 106 is not already associated with anotherinsertable device 610, 1905, the method 2700 proceeds to block 2745. Atblock 2745, the insertable device 610, 1905 broadcasts the uniqueidentifier of the insertable device 610, 1905, the unique identifier ofthe host device, and, in some embodiments, an association request flag.The improper device removal flag is not included in the broadcastmessage of block 2745 because the host device 104, 106 is not alreadyassociated with another insertable device 610, 1905. In someembodiments, in response to the external device 108 receiving abroadcasted message from the insertable device 610, 1905 without theimproper device removal flag, the external device 108 initiates apairing method as shown in FIG. 28 to associate/pair the unassociatedinsertable device 610, 1905 with the unassociated host device 104, 106.

In some embodiments, the broadcast messages of blocks 2740 and 2745 areperiodically broadcasted by the insertable device 610, 1905 until one of(i) the insertable device 610, 1905 is removed from the host device 104,106; (ii) the host device 104, 106 re-enters the low power sleep mode;(iii) the external device 108 associates/pairs the insertable device610, 1905 and the host device 104, 106 with each other (see FIG. 28 ).For example, when the insertable device 610, 1905 is removed from thehost device 104, 106, the insertable device 610, 1905 may ceasebroadcasting messages because the insertable device 610, 1905 may nolonger be coupled to an energy storage device 1205, 2615. As anotherexample, when the host device 104, 106 re-enters the low power sleepmode without the insertable device 610, 1905 and the host device 104,106 being associated/paired (e.g., because an external device 108 didnot receive the broadcast messages when the host device 104, 106 wasawake or because a user did not initiate the association/pairing processof FIG. 28 using the external device 108), the method 2700 proceeds backto block 2710 to repeat the method 2700. In other words, an unassociatedinsertable device 610, 1905 may execute blocks 2720 through 2745 eachtime the electronic processor 226 of the host device wakes up from thelow power sleep mode. As another example, when an external device 108receives a broadcasted message from an unassociated insertable device610, 1905 indicating that the insertable device 610, 1905 is coupled toan unassociated host device 104, 106, the external device 108 initiatesa pairing method as shown in FIG. 28 to associate/pair the unassociatedinsertable device 610, 1905 with the unassociated host device 104, 106.

FIG. 28 illustrates a flow diagram 2800 that shows communicationsbetween the external device 108, the insertable device 610, 1905, andthe host device 104, 106 during an association/pairing process. In theexample flow diagram 2800, the insertable device 610, 1905 and the hostdevice 104, 106 are not associated/paired with each other or with otherdevices, and the user desires to associate/pair these devices with eachother. For example, the user may initiate the association/pairingprocess via a user input on the external device 108.

At step 2805, the external device 108 receives a broadcast message fromthe insertable device 610, 1905 and establishes a communicativeconnection between the external device 108 and the insertable device610, 1905. At step 2810, the external device initiates an encryptionhandshake (e.g., a Bluetooth® low energy encryption handshake) with theinsertable device 610, 1905. At step 2815, the insertable device 610,1905 responds to the external device 108 to complete the encryptionhandshake and enable encrypted communication between the external device108 and the insertable device 610, 1905. In some embodiments, the BLEencryption handshake at steps 2810 and 2815 may not occur or may onlyoccur for an initial communication between the insertable device 610,1905 and the external device 108 after which future communicationbetween the insertable device 610, 1905 and the external device 108 willbe encrypted based on the BLE encryption handshake from the initialcommunication.

At step 2820, the external device 108 requests insertable deviceauthentication data from the insertable device 610, 1905. At step 2825,the external device 108 receives the insertable device authenticationdata from the insertable device 610, 1905. In some embodiments, theexternal device 108 verifies that the insertable device authenticationdata is consistent with product data stored locally at the externaldevice 108. In some embodiments, the external device 108 communicateswith the server 112 to verify that the insertable device authenticationdata is consistent with product data stored at the server 112. Once theexternal device 108 verifies that the insertable device authenticationdata is consistent with stored product data, the insertable device 610,1905 is authenticated (e.g., verified to be a product supported by thecommunication system 100).

Similar authentication steps are then performed between the externaldevice 108 and the host device 104, 106 using the insertable device 610,1905 to relay messages between the external device 108 and the hostdevice 104, 106. At step 2830, the external device 108 requests hostdevice authentication data from the host device 104, 106. At step 2835,the external device 108 receives the host device authentication datafrom the host device 104, 106. The external device 108 may verify thatthe host device authentication data is consistent with stored productdata in a similar manner as described above with respect toauthenticating the insertable device 610, 1905. Once the external device108 verifies that the host device authentication data is consistent withstored product data, the host device 104, 106 is authenticated (e.g.,verified to be a product supported by the communication system 100).

At step 2840, the external device 108 transmits an administrativepassword of the host device 104, 106 to the host device 104, 106 via theinsertable device 610, 1905. In some embodiments, the transmittedadministrative password of the host device 104, 106 matches anadministrative password stored in the memory 232, 2610 of the hostdevice 104, 106 at the time of manufacturing of the host device 104,106. In some embodiments, the external device 108 retrieves theadministrative password of the host device 104, 106 to be transmittedusing the unique identifier of the host device 104, 106 included in thepreviously-received broadcast message. For example, the external device108 requests the administrative password of the host device 104, 106from the server 112 using the unique identifier of the host device 104,106. In some embodiments, the server 112 only provides theadministrative password to the external device 108 if the externaldevice 108 has proper permissions. For example, the host device 104, 106must be owned by an entity who has signed into an application running onthe external device 108 such that the ownership information of theexternal device 108 matches the ownership information of the host device104, 106 stored at the server 112. This ownership information may bepreviously stored at the server 112 (e.g., upon purchasing the hostdevice 104, 106 and upon downloading and creating an account on theapplication that is being executed on the external device 108). At step2845, the external device 108 receives acknowledgement from the hostdevice 104, 106 that the host device 104, 106 has received theadministrative password of the host device 104, 106. In response toreceiving its administrative password, the host device 104, 106 isconfigured to receive association information to be associated/pairedwith the insertable device 610, 1905. For security purposes, the hostdevice 104, 106 may not accept or act on association/pairing informationunless and until the host device 104, 106 has received itsadministrative password.

Steps 2850 and 2855 are similar to steps 2840 and 2845 but are performedby the external device 108 with respect to the insertable device 610,1905 instead of the host device 104, 106. At block 2850, the externaldevice 108 transmits an administrative password of the insertable device610, 1905 to the insertable device 610, 1905. At step 2855, the externaldevice 108 receives acknowledgement from the insertable device 610, 1905that the insertable device 610, 1905 has received the administrativepassword of the insertable device 610, 1905. In response to receivingits administrative password, the insertable device 610, 1905 isconfigured to receive association information to be associated/pairedwith the host device 104, 106. For security purposes, the insertabledevice 610, 1905 may not accept or act on association/pairinginformation unless and until the insertable device 610, 1905 hasreceived its administrative password.

At step 2860 a, the external device 108 transmits a first memory mapcommand and a second memory map command to the insertable device 610,1905. The first memory map command may be intended for the host device104, 106. Accordingly, at step 2860 b, the insertable device 610, 1905forwards the first memory map command to the host device 104, 106. Inresponse to receiving the first memory command, the host device 104, 106changes its association status to be “associated” (e.g., by setting aflag in the memory 232, 2610) and stores the unique identifier of theinsertable device 610, 1905 in the memory 232, 2610. In someembodiments, the unique identifier of the insertable device 610, 1905 isreceived along with the first memory map command. In other embodiments,the unique identifier of the insertable device 610, 1905 is known fromprevious communication with the insertable device 610, 1905 (see blocks2725 and 2730 of FIG. 27 ). By changing its association status andstoring the unique identifier of the insertable device 610, 1905, thehost device 104, 106 is associated/paired with the insertable device610, 1905.

After performing these association tasks, at step 2865, the host device104, 106 transmits an acknowledgement message to the insertable device610, 1905 to acknowledge receipt of the first memory map command and toconfirm that the association tasks were performed. In response toreceiving the acknowledgement message from the host device 104, 106, theinsertable device 610, 1905 performs similar association tasks that areprompted by the previously-received second memory map command. Forexample, the insertable device 610, 1905 changes its association statusto be “associated” (e.g., by setting a flag in the memory 1310) andstores the unique identifier of the host device 104, 106 in the memory1310. In some embodiments, the unique identifier of the host device 104,106 is known from previous communication with the host device 104, 106(see block 2720 of FIG. 27 ). By changing its association status andstoring the unique identifier of the host device 104, 106, theinsertable device 610, 1905 is associated with the host device 104, 106.

After performing these association tasks, at step 2870, the insertabledevice 610, 1905 transmits an acknowledgement message to the externaldevice 108 to acknowledge receipt of the first memory map command andthe second memory map command and to confirm that the association taskswere performed by both the host device 104, 106 and the insertabledevice 610, 1905. In response to receiving this associationacknowledgement message from the insertable device 610, 1905, theexternal device 108 communicates with the server 112 to update adatabase at the server 112 (e.g., a tracking database) to storeinformation to indicate that the host device 104, 106 and the insertabledevice 610, 1905 are associated/paired with each other. In someembodiments, the external device 108 also updates its own memory 130 tostore information to indicate that the host device 104, 106 and theinsertable device 610, 1905 are associated/paired with each other.

Once the insertable device 610, 1905 and the host device 104, 106 havebeen associated/paired with each other, the associated/paired insertabledevice 610, 1905 periodically broadcasts beacon signals including thestored unique identifier of the host device 104, 106 rather than theunique identifier of the insertable device 610, 1905. These beaconsignals may be received by nearby external devices 108 and may be usedfor location tracking as described previously herein. When the locationof the host device 104, 106 is updated in the tracking database at theserver 112, the server 112 may also update a location of the insertabledevice 610, 1905 that is associated/paired with the host device 104,106. In some embodiments, an associated/paired insertable device 610,1905 periodically broadcasts beacon signals whenever it is coupled toany host device 104, 106 regardless of whether the electronic processor226, 2605 of the host device 104, 106 is awake or in a low power sleepmode.

FIG. 29 illustrates a flowchart of a method 2900 performed by anassociated/paired insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905inserted into a host device 104, 106. In other words, the insertabledevice 610, 1905 has been previously paired/associated with the hostdevice 104, 106 to which the insertable device 610, 1905 is currentlycoupled or has been previously paired/associated with another hostdevice 104, 106 (see pairing method 2800 of FIG. 28 ).

At block 2905, the insertable device 610, 1905 broadcasts a beaconsignal. For example, the beacon signal includes the unique identifier ofthe host device 104, 106 to which the insertable device 610, 1905 hasbeen associated/paired. In some embodiments, the insertable device 610,1905 periodically broadcasts this beacon signal even when the electronicprocessor 226, 2605 of the host device 104, 106 to which the insertabledevice 610, 1905 is coupled is in a low power sleep mode.

At block 2910, the insertable device 610, 1905 determines whether theelectronic processor 226, 2605 of the host device 104, 106 is awake(similar to block 2715 of FIG. 27 ). When the electronic processor 226,2605 remains in the low power sleep mode, the method 2900 proceeds backto block 2905 to continue to periodically broadcast the beacon signaluntil the electronic processor 226, 2605 of the host device 104, 106wakes up. At block 2910, when the insertable device 610, 1905 determinesthat the electronic processor 226, 2605 of the host device 104, 106 haswoken up, at block 2915, the insertable device 610, 1905 requests andreceives a unique identifier of the host device 104, 106 to which theinsertable device 610, 1905 is coupled.

At block 2920, the insertable device 610, 1905 determines whether thereceived unique identifier of the host device 104, 106 to which theinsertable device 610, 1905 is coupled matches a stored uniqueidentifier of a host device 104, 106 to which the insertable device 610,1905 is currently associated/paired. In other words, the insertabledevice 610, 1905 determines whether the received unique identifiermatches the stored unique identifier that the insertable device 610,1905 is currently broadcasting in its beacon signals. The determinationat block 2920 allows the insertable device 610, 1905 to determinewhether the insertable device 610, 1905 is still inserted into the hostdevice 104, 106 with which it is associated/paired (if the uniqueidentifiers match) or whether the insertable device 610, 1905 has beeninserted into another host device 104, 106 with which it is notassociated/paired (if the unique identifiers do not match).

At block 2920, when the received unique identifier does not match thestored unique identifier, the method 2900 proceeds to block 2925. Atblock 2925, the insertable device 610, 1905 adjusts the broadcastedbeacon signal to configure the beacon signal to include the uniqueidentifier of the insertable device 610, 1905 rather than the uniqueidentifier of the host device 104, 106 with which the insertable device610, 1905 is associated/paired. The adjusted beacon signal at block 2925also includes an unrecognized host device flag configured to indicatethat the associated/paired insertable device 610, 1905 is coupled to ahost device 104, 106 with which it is not associated/paired. In otherwords, the insertable device 610, 1905 is coupled to an improper hostdevice 104, 106 and has not been disassociated from apreviously-associated/paired host device 104, 106 (see FIG. 30 ). Insome embodiments, the beacon signal at block 2925 may also include theunique identifier of the previously-associated/paired host device 104,106 and/or a unique identifier of the unrecognized host device 104, 106to which the insertable device 610, 1905 is currently coupled.

In response to receiving such a broadcast message from the insertabledevice 610, 1905, the external device 108 may communicate with theserver 112 to flag the previously-associated/paired host device 104, 106as missing. In turn, the server 112 may provide a “missing host device”notification to an external device 108 of an owner of thepreviously-associated/paired host device 104, 106. In some embodiments,the external device 108 that received the beacon signal with theunrecognized host device flag transmits a lock instruction to theimproper host device 104, 106 via the insertable device 610, 1905 tolock/prevent functionality of the improper host device 104, 106. In someembodiments, the lock instruction includes an administrative passwordretrieved from the server 112 and is sent based on settings stored inthe server 112. For example, in response to receiving communication fromthe external device 108 indicating that the associated/paired insertabledevice 610, 1905 is coupled to an improper host device 104, 106, theserver 112 may instruct the external device 108 to transmit the lockinstruction, via the insertable device 610, 1905, to the improper hostdevice 104, 106 if the owner of the improper host device 104, 106 hasstored security settings at the server 112 indicating that such a lockinstruction should be sent in such a situation.

Returning to block 2920, when the received unique identifier of theattached host device 104, 106 matches the stored unique identifier ofthe associated/paired host device 104, 106, the method 2900 proceeds toblock 2930. At block 2930, the insertable device 610, 1905 transmits theunique identifier of the insertable device 610, 1905 to the host device104, 106. Also at block 2930, the insertable device 610, 1905 receivesacknowledgement from the host device 104, 106 that the host device 104,106 received the unique identifier of the insertable device 610, 1905.In some embodiments, the host device 104, 106 compares the receivedunique identifier of the insertable device 610, 1905 to a stored uniqueidentifier of an insertable device 610, 1905 with which the host device104, 106 is currently associated/paired. This determination allows thehost device 104, 106 to determine whether the insertable device 610,1905 currently inserted into the host device 104, 106 is the same as theinsertable device 610, 1905 with which the host device 104, 106 isassociated/paired (if the unique identifiers match) or whether theassociated/paired insertable device 610, 1905 has been removed and anunassociated/unpaired insertable device 610, 1905 has been inserted intothe host device 104, 106 (if the unique identifiers do not match). Theacknowledgement signal from host device 104, 106 to the insertabledevice 610, 1905 at block 2930 may include an indication of whether thereceived unique identifier of the insertable device 610, 1905 matchedthe stored unique identifier of an insertable device 610, 1905 withwhich the host device 104, 106 is currently associated/paired. In someembodiments, when the received unique identifier of the insertabledevice 610, 1905 does not match the stored unique identifier of aninsertable device 610, 1905 with which the host device 104, 106 iscurrently associated/paired, the host device 104, 106 locks/preventsoperation of itself as a security feature. Similarly, when an electronicprocessor 226, 2605 of an associated/paired host device 104, 106 wakesup and is unable to communicate with its associated insertable device610, 1905 (e.g., because the insertable device 610, 1905 has beenremoved without initiating the disassociation/de-pairing process (seeFIG. 30 ), the host device 104, 106 may lock/prevent operation of itselfas a security feature.

At block 2935, the insertable device 610, 1905 determines whether theacknowledgement message from the host device 104, 106 indicates that thereceived unique identifier of the insertable device 610, 1905 matchesthe stored unique identifier of an insertable device 610, 1905 withwhich the host device 104, 106 is currently associated/paired. When theacknowledgement message from the host device 104, 106 indicates that thereceived unique identifier and the stored unique identifier do notmatch, the method 2900 proceeds to block 2925 to adjust the broadcastedbeacon signal of the insertable device 610, 1905 as described previouslyherein. On the other hand, when the acknowledgement message from thehost device 104, 106 indicates that the received unique identifier andthe stored unique identifier match, the method 2900 proceeds to block2940. At block 2940, the insertable device 610, 1905 configures itsbeacon signal to include the unique identifier of the itsassociated/paired host device 104, 106. In situations where such abeacon signal was already being broadcast, the insertable device 610,1905 merely continues broadcasting the beacon signal. Also at block2940, the insertable device 610, 1905 continues to receive and transmitother messages associated with the wake-up of the electronic processor226, 2605 from the low power sleep state.

As indicated in FIG. 29 , after execution of the blocks 2925 or 2940,the method 2900 proceeds back to block 2905 to continue periodicallybroadcasting beacon signals. For example, after the electronic processor226, 2605 of the host device 104, 106 has re-entered the low power sleepstate (e.g., after performance of an operation of the power tool device104 in response to user actuation of the trigger 212, 1730), theinsertable device 610, 1905 continues to periodically broadcast beaconsignals. Through repetition of the method 2900, the insertable device610, 1905 is configured continue broadcasting beacon signals based on amost recent comparison of the unique identifier of the insertable device610, 1905 and the unique identifier of the host device 104, 106 to whichthe insertable device 610, 1905 is coupled. For example, each time theelectronic processor 226, 2605 of the host device 104, 106 wakes up, theinsertable device 610, 1905 performs blocks 2915 through 2940 (asapplicable) to determine whether the associated/paired insertable device610, 1905 is coupled to its proper associated/paired host device 104,106. Based on this determination, the insertable device 610, 1905configures the beacon signal as explained with respect to blocks 2925and 2940 and then continues to periodically broadcast the beacon signalfor receipt by external devices 108 within communication range.

FIG. 30 illustrates a flow diagram 3000 that shows communicationsbetween the external device 108, the insertable device 610, 1905, andthe host device 104, 106 during a disassociation/de-pairing process. Inthe example flow diagram 3000, the insertable device 610, 1905 and thehost device 104, 106 have been previously associated/paired with eachother, and the user desires to disassociate/de-pair these devices. Forexample, the user may initiate the disassociation/de-pairing process viaa user input on the external device 108. A user may desire to remove anddisassociate a previously-associated insertable device 610, 1905 from ahost device 104, 106 for a number of different reasons. For example, theuser may desire to replace the insertable device 610, 1905 with a neweror upgraded insertable device 610, 1905. As another example, the usermay desire to use the host device 104, 106 on a secure job site thatrestricts the use of any radio frequency communication device.

Many of the steps in the flow diagram 3000 of FIG. 30 are similar tosteps of the flow diagram 2800 of FIG. 28 that illustrates theassociation/pairing process of the insertable device 610, 1905 and thehost device 104, 106. The above explanation of these steps with respectto FIG. 28 applies below to the similar steps of FIG. 30 .

At step 3005, the external device 108 receives a broadcasted beaconmessage from the insertable device 610, 1905 and establishes acommunicative connection between the external device 108 and theinsertable device 610, 1905 (similar to step 2805 of FIG. 28 ). At step3010, the external device 108 transmits an administrative password ofthe host device 104, 106 to the host device 104, 106 via the insertabledevice 610, 1905 (similar to step 2840 of FIG. 28 ). At step 3015, theexternal device 108 receives acknowledgement from the host device 104,106 that the host device 104, 106 has received its administrativepassword (similar to step 2840 of FIG. 28 ). In response to receivingits administrative password, the host device 104, 106 is configured toreceive disassociation information to be disassociated/de-paired withthe insertable device 610, 1905. For security purposes, the host device104, 106 may not accept or act on disassociation/de-pairing informationunless and until the host device 104, 106 has received itsadministrative password.

Steps 3020 and 3025 are similar to steps 3010 and 3015 but are performedby the external device 108 with respect to the insertable device 610,1905 instead of the host device 104, 106. At block 3020, the externaldevice 108 transmits an administrative password of the insertable device610, 1905 to the insertable device 610, 1905 (similar to step 2850 ofFIG. 28 ). At step 3025, the external device 108 receivesacknowledgement from the insertable device 610, 1905 that the insertabledevice 610, 1905 has received its administrative password (similar tostep 2855 of FIG. 28 ). In response to receiving its administrativepassword, the insertable device 610, 1905 is configured to receivedisassociation information to be disassociated/de-paired with the hostdevice 104, 106. For security purposes, the insertable device 610, 1905may not accept or act on association/pairing information unless anduntil the insertable device 610, 1905 has received its administrativepassword.

At step 3030 a, the external device 108 transmits a first memory mapcommand and a second memory map command to the insertable device 610,1905 (similar to step 2860 a of FIG. 28 ). The first memory map commandmay be intended for the host device 104, 106. Accordingly, at step 3030b, the insertable device 610, 1905 forwards the first memory map commandto the host device 104, 106 (similar to step 2860 b of FIG. 28 ). Inresponse to receiving the first memory command, the host device 104, 106changes its association status to be “disassociated” (e.g., by setting aflag in the memory 232, 2610) and erases the unique identifier of theinsertable device 610, 1905 from the memory 232, 2610. By changing itsassociation status and erasing the unique identifier of the insertabledevice 610, 1905, the host device 104, 106 is disassociated/de-pairedfrom the insertable device 610, 1905.

After performing these disassociation tasks, at step 3035, the hostdevice 104, 106 transmits an acknowledgement message to the insertabledevice 610, 1905 to acknowledge receipt of the first memory map commandand to confirm that the disassociation tasks were performed (similar tostep 2865 of FIG. 28 ). In response to receiving the acknowledgementmessage from the host device 104, 106, the insertable device 610, 1905performs similar disassociation tasks that are prompted by thepreviously-received second memory map command. For example, theinsertable device 610, 1905 changes its association status to be“disassociated” (e.g., by setting a flag in the memory 1310) and erasesthe unique identifier of the host device 104, 106 from the memory 1310.By changing its association status and erasing the unique identifier ofthe host device 104, 106, the insertable device 610, 1905 isdisassociated/de-paired from the host device 104, 106.

After performing these disassociation tasks, at step 3040, theinsertable device 610, 1905 transmits an acknowledgement message to theexternal device 108 to acknowledge receipt of the first memory mapcommand and the second memory map command and to confirm that thedisassociation tasks were performed by both the host device 104, 106 andthe insertable device 610, 1905 (similar to step 2870 of FIG. 28 ). Inresponse to receiving this disassociation acknowledgement message fromthe insertable device 610, 1905, the external device 108 communicateswith the server 112 to update a database at the server 112 to storeinformation to indicate that the host device 104, 106 and the insertabledevice 610, 1905 have been disassociated/de-paired from each other. Insome embodiments, the external device 108 also updates its own memory130 to store information to indicate that the host device 104, 106 andthe insertable device 610, 1905 have been disassociated/de-paired witheach other.

Once the insertable device 610, 1905 and the host device 104, 106 havebeen disassociated/de-paired with each other, the insertable device 610,1905 periodically broadcasts beacon signals as an unassociatedinsertable device 610, 1905 as explained above with respect to FIG. 27 .

In some embodiments, the insertable device 610, 1905 may set differentoperational parameters depending on a type of host device 104, 106,1705, 1805 to which the insertable device 610, 1905 is coupled andassociated/paired. FIG. 31 illustrates a flowchart of a method 3100performed by an insertable wireless communication device 610, 1905inserted into a host device 104, 106, 1705, 1805 in one exampleembodiment. In some embodiments, the insertable device 610, 1905performs the method 3100 after the insertable device 610, 1905 has beenassociated/paired with the host device 104, 106, 1705, 1805. In someembodiments, the insertable device 610, 1905 uses identificationinformation that was received in the association/pairing process (e.g.,the unique identifier of the host device 104, 106, 1705, 1805) whenperforming the method 3100.

At block 3105, the electronic processor 1305 of the insertable device610, 1905 determines that the first connector 2025 of the insertabledevice 610, 1905 has been coupled to a second connector 2020 of a hostdevice 104, 106, 1705, 1805. The electronic processor 1305 may make thisdetermination in response to receiving signals via the connector 2025that indicates that an electronic processor 226, 2605 of the host device104, 106, 1705, 1805 has woken up from a low power sleep mode (e.g., inresponse to user actuation of the trigger 212, 1730). As explainedpreviously herein, in some embodiments, the connectors 2020 and 2025 maynot be included and a component of the insertable device 610, 1905 maybe configured to wirelessly communicate with the a host device 104, 106,1705, 1805 when the insertable device 610, 1905 is inserted in the hostdevice 104, 106, 1705, 1805. In such embodiments, at block 3105, thefirst electronic processor 1305 of the insertable device 610, 1905 maydetermine that the insertable device 610, 1905 has been coupled to ahost device 104, 106, 1705, 1805 by detecting the presence of a wirelesscommunication device of the host device 104, 106, 1705, 1805 (e.g., byinterrogating the wireless communication device or being interrogated bythe wireless communication device).

At block 3110, in response to determining that the first connector 2025has been coupled to the second connector 2020, the electronic processor1305 determines whether the insertable device 610, 1905 is coupled to afirst host device 104, 106, 1705, 1805 of a first type or a second hostdevice 104, 106, 1705, 1805 of a second type different than the firsttype. In some embodiments, the electronic processor 1305 receivesidentification data from the host device electronic processor 226, 2605and determines whether the insertable device 610, 1905 is coupled to thefirst host device 104, 106, 1705, 1805 or the second host device 104,106, 1705, 1805 based on the identification data. For example, theidentification data includes a unique identifier of the host device 104,106, 1705, 1805 as described previously herein. As another example, theidentification data includes a platform identifier that more generallyidentifies a type of host device 104, 106, 1705, 1805. In someembodiments, the platform identifier allows the insertable device 610,1905 to determine whether the host device 104, 106, 1705, 1805 is, forexample, a twelve Volt power tool 104, an eighteen Volt power tool 104,a twenty-eight Volt power tool 104, a transmitting device 106 configuredto be secured to an object to be tracked, or the like. As indicated bythe above examples, the received identification data may identify anapproximate size of a power supply or of a backup battery of the hostdevice 104, 106, 1705, 1805. In some embodiments, the memory 1310 of theinsertable device 610, 1905 may include a look-up table that is accessedby the electronic processor 1305 to determine a type of host device 104,106, 1705, 1805 based on the received identification data. In otherembodiments, the insertable device 610, 1905 wirelessly transmits thereceived identification data to an external device 108. The insertabledevice 610, 1905 then wirelessly receives an indication of the type ofhost device 104, 106, 1705, 1805 to which the insertable device 610,1905 is coupled from the external device 108. For example, the externaldevice 108 is configured to determine the type of host device 104, 106,1705, 1805 to which the insertable device 610, 1905 is coupled based onthe identification data. For example, the electronic processor 114 ofthe external device 108 accesses a look-up table stored in the memory130 of the external device 108 or communicates with the server 112 todetermine the type of host device 104, 106, 1705, 1805 based on theidentification data of the host device 104, 106, 1705, 1805. In someembodiments, the indication of the type of host device 104, 106, 1705,1805 from the external device 108 includes an instruction to set anoperational characteristic of the insertable device 610, 1905 at apredetermined value (see block 3115).

At block 3115, the electronic processor 1305 sets an operationalcharacteristic of the insertable device 610, 1905 based on thedetermination of whether the insertable device 610, 1905 is coupled tothe first host device 104, 106, 1705, 1805 of the first type or thesecond host device 104, 106, 1705, 1805 of the second type. In someembodiments, the operational characteristic of the insertable device isset differently when the insertable device 610, 1905 is coupled to thefirst host device 104, 106, 1705, 1805 than when the insertable device610, 1905 is coupled to the second host device 104, 106, 1705, 1805.

For example, the operational characteristic includes a low powercapacity threshold of a power source configured to provide power to theinsertable device 610, 1905 when the insertable device 610, 1905 iscoupled to the host device 104, 106, 1705, 1805. The insertable device610, 1905 may be configured to enter a low power mode in response todetermining that a state of charge of the power source of the hostdevice 104, 106, 1705, 1805 is below the low power capacity threshold.In the low power mode, the insertable device 610, 1905 may be configuredto attempt to reduce power consumption in any number of ways. Forexample, the insertable device 610, 1905 may decrease a rate at whichthe insertable device 610, 1905 wirelessly broadcasts an identificationbeacon signal. As another example, the insertable device 610, 1905 maydisable use of relatively high-power components (e.g., cellularcommunication transceiver 1415 and GPS transceiver 1420) that mayconsume more power than other relatively low-power components (e.g., BLEtransceiver 1405).

Based on the size of the power source of the host device 104, 106, 1705,1805 as determined based on the type of host device 104, 106, 1705,1805, the insertable device 610, 1905 may adjust its low power capacitythreshold that affects when the insertable device 610, 1905 enters thelow power mode. In a similar manner, for types of host devices 104, 106,1705, 1805 that include larger power sources (e.g., a high voltagebattery pack), the insertable device 610, 1905 may perform more actionsthat consume more energy (e.g., use of cellular and GPS capabilities forlocation tracking, more frequent periodic use of cellular and GPScapabilities for location tracking, use of Wi-Fi capabilities forlocation tracking, and the like) than for types of host devices 104,106, 1705, 1805 that include smaller power sources (e.g., a coin cellbattery included in the transmitting device 106). In some embodiments,rather than using GPS capabilities of the insertable device 610, 1905for location tracking, the insertable device 610, 1905 may be configuredto use less energy for location tracking when the insertable device 610,1905 is connected to host devices 104, 106, 1705, 1805 that includesmaller power sources. For example, the insertable device 610, 1905 mayuse Bluetooth® capabilities to periodically broadcast an identificationthat may be recognized by nearby external devices 108 (e.g., smartphones) that, in turn, provide their own location as an approximationfor the location of the insertable device 610, 1905 in response torecognizing the identification from the insertable device 610, 1905. Inother words, the operational characteristic of the insertable device610, 1905 set by the electronic processor 1305 based on thedetermination of whether the insertable device 610, 1905 is coupled tothe first host device 104, 106, 1705, 1805 of the first type or thesecond host device 104, 106, 1705, 1805 of the second type may be a typeof communication protocol used by the insertable device 610, 1905 tocommunicate with one or more external devices 108 and/or servers 112(e.g., for location tracking of the insertable device 610, 1305).

The above-noted operational characteristics of the insertable device610, 1905 and the characteristics of the host device 104, 106, 1705,1805 are merely examples. Other operational characteristics of theinsertable device 610, 1905 may be adjusted based on the type of hostdevice 104, 106, 1705, 1805. Similarly, other characteristics of thehost device 104, 106, 1705, 1805 may cause the insertable device 610,1905 to alter its operational characteristics.

In some embodiments, the connector 615, 2020 of the host device isadditionally configured to electrically and physically couple to anexternal device 108 (e.g., a laptop) via a wired connection. In otherwords, the connector 615, 2020 may be configured to operate as a wiredservice port. In such embodiments, the external device 108 may be ableto bidirectionally communicate with the electronic processor 226, 2605of the host device, 104, 106 to obtain stored information from the hostdevice 104, 106 (e.g., operational statistics), update firmware of thehost device 104, 106, and/or the like. The external device 108 may alsobe used to perform tests on the host device 104, 106. For example, theexternal device 108 coupled to the host device 104, 106 via a wiredconnection may be used to log more and/or different operationalstatistics than are typically stored by the internal memory of the hostdevice 104, 106. Such data logging may be useful during design anddevelopment of the host device 104, 106 but may not be included once thedesign of the host device 104, 106 is complete and the host device 104,106 is manufactured and sold. Examples of operation statistics includedin this data logging process include timestamp and duration of triggerpulls, current draw versus time of trigger pulls, temperature versustime of the tool operation, vibration measurements versus time, and thelike.

In some embodiments, the host device 104, 106 may additionally include auniversal serial bus (USB) port. In some embodiments, a power toolbattery pack connected to the power tool device 104 is configured tocharge an external device 108 (e.g., a smartphone) via the USB port whenthe external device 108 is coupled to the USB port via a USB cable.Additionally, the external device 108 may be able to bidirectionallycommunicate with the host device 104, 106 to obtain operationalstatistics of the host device 104, 106, provide firmware updates to thehost device 104, 106, and the like via the USB cable and the USB port.

Thus, among other things, a host device is disclosed including acompartment that receives an insertable wireless communication devicewith an antenna that uses a conductive layer of a PCB within the hostdevice as part or all of a ground plane of the antenna to allow theantenna to meet a minimum antenna efficiency standard while maintaininga small size of the insertable wireless communication device.

What is claimed is:
 1. A power tool comprising: a power tool housinghaving a motor housing portion, a handle portion, and a battery packreceiving portion; a motor within the motor housing portion and having arotor and a stator, wherein the motor is configured to drive an outputdrive device; a second electronic processor within the power toolhousing and configured to control operation of the motor; a compartmentlocated in the power tool housing; and a housingless insertable wirelesscommunication device including a first electronic processor and anantenna, each of which is mounted to a first printed circuit board (PCB)of the housingless insertable wireless communication device, thehousingless insertable wireless communication device configured to bereceived in the compartment, and the first electronic processorconfigured to communicatively couple with the second electronicprocessor when the housingless insertable wireless communication deviceis received in the compartment; wherein the housingless insertablewireless communication device is configured to wirelessly communicatewith an external device; and wherein a first portion of the first PCB ofthe housingless insertable wireless communication device is not enclosedby a housing and remains exposed when the housingless insertablewireless communication device is not inserted into the compartment. 2.The power tool of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the first PCBincludes an edge of the first PCB, and wherein the edge of the first PCBis configured to engage with a mounting portion of the power tool whenthe housingless insertable wireless communication device is received inthe compartment.
 3. The power tool of claim 1, wherein the first PCB ofthe housingless insertable wireless communication device includes amolding over a component mounted on a second portion of the first PCB,and wherein the first portion of the first PCB is not covered by themolding and remains exposed when the housingless insertable wirelesscommunication device is not inserted into the compartment.
 4. The powertool of claim 3, wherein the molding (i) covers a portion of a firstsurface of the first PCB, (ii) wraps around an edge of the first PCB toa second surface of the first PCB that is opposite to the first surface,and (iii) covers a portion of the second surface of the first PCB,wherein the portion of the second surface that is covered by the moldingis smaller than the portion of the first surface that is covered by themolding.
 5. The power tool of claim 1, wherein the housinglessinsertable wireless communication device includes an end cap located ata first end of the first PCB, the first end located closer to anexterior of the power tool housing than a second end of the first PCBopposite the first end when the housingless insertable wirelesscommunication device is inserted in the compartment, wherein a height ofthe end cap in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the first PCBis taller than a height of the antenna in the direction perpendicular tothe surface of the first PCB.
 6. The power tool of claim 5, wherein thefirst PCB includes a protruding tab configured to extend through the endcap and configured to be used to remove the housingless insertablewireless communication device from the compartment.
 7. The power tool ofclaim 1, further comprising a second PCB located in the power toolhousing and electrically coupled to a second connector, wherein thefirst PCB includes a first connector configured to electrically andphysically couple to the second connector.
 8. The power tool of claim 7,further comprising: an enclosure located within the compartment, whereinthe enclosure is configured to receive the housingless insertablewireless communication device, and wherein the second PCB is located inthe enclosure.
 9. The power tool of claim 7, wherein, when thehousingless insertable wireless communication device is inserted intothe compartment: a first conductive layer of the second PCB isconfigured to be electrically coupled to the antenna via the firstconnector and the second connector such that the first conductive layerof the second PCB serves as a ground plane of the antenna; and thesecond electronic processor is configured to communicate with the firstelectronic processor to allow information to be transferred between thesecond electronic processor and the external device via the firstelectronic processor.
 10. A method of communicating between a power tooland an external device, the method comprising: inserting a housinglessinsertable wireless communication device into a compartment of a powertool housing of the power tool, the power tool including: the power toolhousing having a motor housing portion, a handle portion, and a batterypack receiving portion, a motor within the motor housing portion andhaving a rotor and a stator, wherein the motor is configured to drive anoutput drive device; a second electronic processor within the power toolhousing and configured to control operation of the motor, and thehousingless insertable wireless communication device including a firstelectronic processor and an antenna each of which is mounted to a firstprinted circuit board (PCB) of the housingless insertable wirelesscommunication device, wherein a first portion of the first PCB of thehousingless insertable wireless communication device is not enclosed bya housing and remains exposed when the housingless insertable wirelesscommunication device is not inserted into the compartment;communicatively coupling the first electronic processor with the secondelectronic processor when the housingless insertable wirelesscommunication device is received in the compartment; and communicatingwith the external device using the housingless insertable wirelesscommunication device.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the firstportion of the first PCB includes an edge of the first PCB, and whereininserting the housingless insertable wireless communication device intothe compartment includes engaging the edge of the first PCB with amounting portion of the power tool.
 12. A power tool device comprising:a power tool device housing having a battery pack receiving portionconfigured to receive a battery pack; a powered element located in thepower tool device housing and configured to be selectively coupled topower provided by the battery pack; a second electronic processor withinthe power tool device housing and configured to control operation of thepowered element; a compartment located in the power tool device housing;and a housingless insertable wireless communication device including afirst electronic processor and an antenna, each of which is mounted to afirst printed circuit board (PCB) of the housingless insertable wirelesscommunication device, the housingless insertable wireless communicationdevice configured to be received in the compartment, and the firstelectronic processor configured to communicatively couple with thesecond electronic processor when the housingless insertable wirelesscommunication device is received in the compartment; wherein thehousingless insertable wireless communication device is configured towirelessly communicate with an external device; and wherein a firstportion of the first PCB of the housingless insertable wirelesscommunication device is not enclosed by a housing and remains exposedwhen the housingless insertable wireless communication device is notinserted into the compartment.
 13. The power tool device of claim 12,wherein the powered element includes a motor configured to drive anoutput drive device.
 14. The power tool device of claim 12, wherein thefirst portion of the first PCB includes an edge of the first PCB, andwherein the edge of the first PCB is configured to engage with amounting portion of the power tool device when the housinglessinsertable wireless communication device is received in the compartment.15. The power tool device of claim 12, wherein the first PCB of thehousingless insertable wireless communication device includes a moldingover a component mounted on a second portion of the first PCB, andwherein the first portion of the first PCB is not covered by the moldingand remains exposed when the housingless insertable wirelesscommunication device is not inserted into the compartment.
 16. The powertool device of claim 15, wherein the molding (i) covers a portion of afirst surface of the first PCB, (ii) wraps around an edge of the firstPCB to a second surface of the first PCB that is opposite to the firstsurface, and (iii) covers a portion of the second surface of the firstPCB, wherein the portion of the second surface that is covered by themolding is smaller than the portion of the first surface that is coveredby the molding.
 17. The power tool device of claim 12, wherein thehousingless insertable wireless communication device includes an end caplocated at a first end of the first PCB, the first end located closer toan exterior of the power tool device housing than a second end of thefirst PCB opposite the first end when the housingless insertablewireless communication device is inserted in the compartment, wherein aheight of the end cap in a direction perpendicular to a surface of thefirst PCB is taller than a height of the antenna in the directionperpendicular to the surface of the first PCB.
 18. The power tool deviceof claim 17, wherein the first PCB includes a protruding tab configuredto extend through the end cap and configured to be used to remove thehousingless insertable wireless communication device from thecompartment.
 19. The power tool device of claim 12, further comprising asecond PCB located in the power tool device housing and electricallycoupled to a second connector, wherein the first PCB includes a firstconnector configured to electrically and physically couple to the secondconnector.
 20. The power tool device of claim 19, wherein, when thehousingless insertable wireless communication device is inserted intothe compartment: a first conductive layer of the second PCB isconfigured to be electrically coupled to the antenna via the firstconnector and the second connector such that the first conductive layerof the second PCB serves as a ground plane of the antenna; and thesecond electronic processor is configured to communicate with the firstelectronic processor to allow information to be transferred between thesecond electronic processor and the external device via the firstelectronic processor.